"We just want everyone to know who the handicapped ones are."

[SmileyRose]

So I guess it's not already hard enough going to through life with serious mobility issues.

I'm parked at the post office this morning and had the following glorious exchange with one of Atlanta's finest.

Cop - comes out of the post office toward the front of my car as I'm getting in it. Very aggressive like.
"Ma'am - do you have a handicapped tag for that thing?"

Me - complete blank look of confusion.

Cop - "Do you know understand plain English? Where's your hang tag?"

Me - trying to comprehend why this idiot is all worked up - more blank stare.

Cop - clearly agitated - "Ma'am I'm going to save you $150 ticket - from now on stay out of the handicapped spots if you don't have a hang tag for this car."

Me - Still a blank look.

Cop - really worked up at this point. "Do have a hearing problem or are you just stupid? Just tell me you won't be parking in handicapped spots anymore or I have no choice but to give you a $150 ticket."

Me - finally comprehending this guy is an idiot. "Officer, I have a handicapped license plate, not a hang tag."

He walks around the car, sees the plate and looks even more agitated.
Cop - (with his hand on the taser at his hip) "Why didn't you tell me that when I first asked you?" (Starts looking in my car windows.) "Are you trying to hide something? You seem awfully nervous."

Me - Looking at his hand on the taser - "I'm sorry officer, you kindof startled me. I have a lot of trouble getting in and out of the car so was paying attention to that and next thing I know some man is yelling at me about me being handicapped. Took me a minute to figure out what you were yelling at me about."

Cop - "Anyone using these spaces had to display the handicapped hang tag and you don't have one. The fine for that is $150 so instead of being upset about being asked for your hang tag why didn't you just tell me you have the plate? That would have saved us both a lot of time. You understand we just want to know who the handicapped ones are."

And he swaggered away.


WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO THE HANDICAPPED ONES ARE.

Honestly, how do these idiots get to be cops? The guy was actually considering tasing me over handicapped parking......

I have so few interactions with the police and in all my life not one has been positive.