Attorney General's News Release

April 2, 2012

Attorney General Koster announces results of accessible-parking operation in St. Louis County

Jefferson City, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster announced that 74 citations were issued as part of an accessible-parking enforcement operation held in the St. Louis County area on Saturday. Koster participated in the operation with the St. Louis County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Tim Fitch, as well as the police departments of Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Hazelwood and Webster Groves.

Koster said officers from the participating law enforcement agencies patrolled shopping areas for vehicles that were illegally parked in handicapped-accessible parking spaces. The operation was designed not only to enforce the law, but also to educate people on Missouri laws regarding handicapped-accessible parking spaces. Under Missouri law, it is illegal:

• to park in an accessible parking space without an authorized license plate or hangtag;
• to use a license plate or hangtag issued to someone not in the car; and
• to park in the striped aisles next to an accessible space.

Missouri laws set fines for disabled parking violations at up to $300.

“This operation showcased our determination to see that citizens who are temporarily or permanently disabled will have access to the designated accessible parking spaces they are entitled to use under the law,” Koster said. “This is a matter of respect – respecting the law, and respecting the person who has the lawful right to use that special parking.”

Koster held a similar enforcement in February in the Kansas City area along with Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp’s office, as well as the police departments of Independence, Lee’s Summit and Oak Grove.