Texas city trains volunteers to catch drivers who park in disabled spaces

Published on 13/01/2018 - 11:43

Houston city council is running an initiative "empowering" citizens to issue tickets to drivers who violate handicap parking spaces.

The responsibility is for citizens who are "interested in getting involved in protecting their communities and helping fight disabled parking abuse," according to the official website for the city of Houston.

Volunteers on the Disabled Parking Volunteer Program are required to attend a four-hour training session and pass a background check before being let loose to issue parking citations.

"After taking a course in proper procedure, you are given the authority to ticket anyone you see parked in a handicap spot without a placard," the city's website said.

Courses are to be held twice a month throughout 2018.

Park Houston, the Parking Management Division of the city council hopes the volunteers will ensure parking space availability to "those who need it most"

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