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Irregular News for 03.07.06
The men in yellow combed Aventura's parking lots last weekend looking for violators.
There was a retired dentist, an investigator, a security guard and even an amputee.
These men joined forces to make sure that the only drivers using handicap spots are those who have a valid decal.
''It's the right thing to do,'' said Mike Lipsitt, an investigator. ``It is a way to give back to the community.''
Donning bright yellow shirts with ''Parking Enforcement'' on the back, 12 men handed out about 30 tickets and 20 warnings Feb. 25.
The fines are steep. For a first-time violator, the cost is $150 and a second-time offense is $250.
Paul Makos, who had just returned to his car from shopping at PetSmart, was greeted by Parking Enforcement volunteer Gunther Glaser. Glaser checked to make sure Makos' handicap parking placard matched his license.
''When I see a young kid who looks like he could be a football player get out of a car that is parked in a handicap spot it really bothers me,'' said Makos, a Vietnam veteran.
Makos added: ``For people like me, who need it, it's nice to know that people are out there checking.''
Aventura Police Officer Chris Goranitis, who oversees the Parking Enforcement Team, said in recent months the team jumped from four to 14 members, all of them volunteers.
''We are very proud of our volunteer parking enforcement unit,'' Goranitis said.
He added: ``This isn't just about writing tickets. It's about educating the public about the abuse of disabled-parking spaces.''
Volunteers are trained to issue tickets to anyone who is illegally parked in a handicapped-parking spot. They also can enforce other parking violations, including parking in a space designated for parents with strollers, parking in front of a fire hydrant and parking in handicapped-access ways.
Parking enforcers go through a 16-hour course and a background check and are then given a badge and an official ticket book. Other municipalities in the county, including North Miami Beach and Coral Gables have formed teams because violations have become rampant, Goranitis said.
Goranitis said having residents helping out not only frees up officers for more pressing issues but it is also a way to get people involved in the community.
In the last month, the team wrote more than 200 tickets to violators.
The group doesn't always do enforcement together; each member can go out whenever he wants. Some hot spots for violators are Aventura Mall, Aventura Commons and Loehmanns Plaza.
Goranitis said the volunteers -- all but one of whom are male -- try to meet as a group about once a month, but he has volunteers who go out about three times a week.
Norton Agron, a retired dentist and financial advisor, said he got involved after reading a Miami Herald article.
''I was looking for something to do during the days that could help the community,'' he said. ``This is something that benefits everyone.''
source
The men in yellow combed Aventura's parking lots last weekend looking for violators.
There was a retired dentist, an investigator, a security guard and even an amputee.
These men joined forces to make sure that the only drivers using handicap spots are those who have a valid decal.
''It's the right thing to do,'' said Mike Lipsitt, an investigator. ``It is a way to give back to the community.''
Donning bright yellow shirts with ''Parking Enforcement'' on the back, 12 men handed out about 30 tickets and 20 warnings Feb. 25.
The fines are steep. For a first-time violator, the cost is $150 and a second-time offense is $250.
Paul Makos, who had just returned to his car from shopping at PetSmart, was greeted by Parking Enforcement volunteer Gunther Glaser. Glaser checked to make sure Makos' handicap parking placard matched his license.
''When I see a young kid who looks like he could be a football player get out of a car that is parked in a handicap spot it really bothers me,'' said Makos, a Vietnam veteran.
Makos added: ``For people like me, who need it, it's nice to know that people are out there checking.''
Aventura Police Officer Chris Goranitis, who oversees the Parking Enforcement Team, said in recent months the team jumped from four to 14 members, all of them volunteers.
''We are very proud of our volunteer parking enforcement unit,'' Goranitis said.
He added: ``This isn't just about writing tickets. It's about educating the public about the abuse of disabled-parking spaces.''
Volunteers are trained to issue tickets to anyone who is illegally parked in a handicapped-parking spot. They also can enforce other parking violations, including parking in a space designated for parents with strollers, parking in front of a fire hydrant and parking in handicapped-access ways.
Parking enforcers go through a 16-hour course and a background check and are then given a badge and an official ticket book. Other municipalities in the county, including North Miami Beach and Coral Gables have formed teams because violations have become rampant, Goranitis said.
Goranitis said having residents helping out not only frees up officers for more pressing issues but it is also a way to get people involved in the community.
In the last month, the team wrote more than 200 tickets to violators.
The group doesn't always do enforcement together; each member can go out whenever he wants. Some hot spots for violators are Aventura Mall, Aventura Commons and Loehmanns Plaza.
Goranitis said the volunteers -- all but one of whom are male -- try to meet as a group about once a month, but he has volunteers who go out about three times a week.
Norton Agron, a retired dentist and financial advisor, said he got involved after reading a Miami Herald article.
''I was looking for something to do during the days that could help the community,'' he said. ``This is something that benefits everyone.''
source