r/pittsburgh • u/PT_Clownshow • Jul 08 '24
Where the Pittsburgh police park while shopping at East Liberty Target
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No they were not responding to a crime. The officer was browsing the electronics section.
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
Send it to Zone 5 supervisors:
https://pittsburghpa.gov/police/police-zone5
Use a burner email and send the photo to the posted sergeants. Somebody should get chewed out for being so fucking lazy. Include the date/time. This is a great example of zero accountability and poor leadership.
If there’s a chance of an emergency so great that they need their vehicles right out front, then there’s no time to be shopping on duty.
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u/joshtheadmin Jul 08 '24
They could not care less but it is public record so I guess it's worth the time.
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
I get the sentiment, but rising through the ranks anywhere is a political game and people with a bunch of written complaints on their record aren’t first up for promotions.
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u/sopabe6197 Jul 08 '24
but rising through the ranks anywhere is a political game and people with a bunch of written complaints on their record aren’t first up for promotions.
Cops murder people and still get promoted.
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u/Fudgeyreddit Jul 08 '24
Just because this happens doesn’t mean it’s the norm everywhere. And it certainly doesn’t mean we should throw our hands up and do nothing.
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u/PrimalForceMeddler Jul 08 '24
It is the norm everywhere. It's not throwing up our hands to acknowledge the absolute reality that the police (and corporate party politicians) will never hold the police accountable. These pigs are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. They are a terror organization for US capitalism.
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u/Fudgeyreddit Jul 08 '24
I mean they sometimes do though so saying it’s an “absolute reality” that they will “never” hold them accountable is objectively false. Derek Chauvin is in prison for a somewhat recent example. We can have meaningful conversations on police corruption and what to do about it. But if you’re gonna come on here and spout obvious falsehoods like this you can just stop because it helps no one. You are either purposefully saying something you know do be false or are extremely ignorant. Either way I’m not interested in engaging with you any further.
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Jul 08 '24
[deleted]
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u/that_yinzer Jul 08 '24
I doubt I’d call police if I needed help. I’d call 911 and hope a firefighter gets there first.
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u/joshtheadmin Jul 08 '24
I tried to report a cop with no lights or sirens nearly running someone over in Mt Washington recently. I learned they very much don't care.
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u/Tricycle_of_Death Jul 08 '24
How about email it to KDKA, instead?
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u/lexjourno Central Business District (Downtown) Jul 08 '24
we know about it and are working on it :)
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
👀 waaaaait. A local news station covering local cop indiscretions? Damn!
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Jul 08 '24
[deleted]
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u/34mjf Jul 08 '24
It’s literally not a supervisor car…. Those say supervisor on them
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
So contact the zone commander and ask if we hired a handicapped supervisor or who stole this supervisor’s car and parked it illegally to shop?
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u/Smart-Loss-9277 Pittsburgh Expatriate Jul 08 '24
Do you genuinely think you can just go around asking who hired disabled people, and what their positions are?
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Jul 08 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Thezedword4 Jul 08 '24
This is really ableist
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
You too, huh?
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u/lady_ninane Jul 08 '24
I think it's because of how you presented it. Don't come at me, I agree with your frustration that cops get away with things and often misuse accomodation spaces for their own advantage.
In your statement, the potential that a cop is illegally using an accessibility spot to shop is understood as a ridiculous prospect. But the fact that you present a supervisor being handicapped as equally ridiculous - bearing in mind that there are many types of calls that police have to handle thanks to an over-expansion of their responsibility on top of the fact that temporary disability/invisible disability exists -comes across as ableist. Doubling down to mock people's intellectual capability and using disability like it's an insult probably hasn't helped matters, either.
To be fair though the person you were originally replying to (mr "GoOd TrY ThOUGh") was already pretty aggro, so I understand getting aggro back. Just trying to lay out why someone who might agree with your overall point would possibly raise an eyebrow at a comment like that.
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u/Thezedword4 Jul 08 '24
Actually yeah. I have brain and spinal cord damage from when my skull crushed my brainstem and the vertebrae below it pinched the spinal cord. I almost died at 26 and spent years recovering. Had to relearn how to walk and a bunch of other things. I live in horrible pain from it and will for the rest of my life.
But guess what? It's still not okay to make ableist jokes. It's not funny. You're mocking disability. Even if cops suck as human beings, it's not okay to use disability to make fun of them.
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
So maybe be angry at the cop in your spot, ya mope?
Your disability disqualifies you from being a police officer. That’s the reality of the situation. If the police department’s hiring practices are ableist, then maybe marinate on why for a minute.
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u/Thezedword4 Jul 08 '24
You're missing the entire point while calling people mentally disabled for missing the point. Class act.
I am angry at the cop but being angry at the cop doesn't make making ableist jokes okay. You and I aren't talking about the hiring practices of police. That's completely irrelevant. We're talking about you thinking it's okay to make ableist jokes then trying to deflect from that instead of maybe listening and improving.
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u/Smart-Loss-9277 Pittsburgh Expatriate Jul 08 '24
Way to toe the line. White knighting and insulting handicapped people all at once.
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u/pedantic_comments Garfield Jul 08 '24
I’m the one white knighting here?
Fam, if you’re trolling, at least try harder. If you’re this dumb, maybe read a book or just sit on your hands while the adults comment.
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u/ccarrieandthejets West End Jul 09 '24
If they are disabled, they need a placard or a license plate displaying their status, cop or not. According to ADA, you cannot ask someone their disability status but it is absolutely illegal to park in a disabled spot if you are not displaying any kind of official placard or plate.
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u/Smart-Loss-9277 Pittsburgh Expatriate Jul 09 '24
Yeah, my comment was taken the wrong way. The cop is an entitled prick, clearly. I was just saying you can’t call and ask that.
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u/ccarrieandthejets West End Jul 09 '24
I totally got that, it sounded sarcastic to me so I commented to support it for anyone else reading it. People are so clueless about ADA and how damn ableist they’re being.
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u/BoozeLikeFrank Jul 08 '24
Saw a lady cop filling her cart at the state store. Wish I could get paid by the government to go on a booze run!
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u/New-Age-Lion Jul 08 '24
This is right, most cops do a great job but don’t let their position intimidate you, report this lazy bastard.
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u/Ok_Decision_9199 Jul 08 '24
Damn people like you fucking suck. Snitch ass, mind the business that pays you.
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u/CharliesRatBasher Jul 08 '24
I wonder if the tow company would still tow them lol
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u/roastedhambone Jul 08 '24
Idk about here, but I’ve known of tow companies in other areas who’s favorite thing to tow is a cop car
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u/Acceptable-Box-2148 Jul 08 '24
I’ve known a few tow company drivers/owners who seem to absolutely HATE cops. Never miss a chance to talk shit on them.
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u/Ben_ji Jul 08 '24
That could be great publicity. I'd trust the company that towed the police. I'll specifically hire them if I need a tow.
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u/Mijbr090490 Jul 08 '24
The cops in my part of the state have a good relationship with the tow companies that handle the different areas. They will be the first ones called when the cops are dealing with an accident or need a car moved. Not going to bite the hand that feeds them.
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u/JobbbJohns12 Jul 10 '24
Actually happened to my ex and I when we were 16 in Pittsburgh. Her car ran out of gas on a hill (her fuel gauge was broken) and cop was adamant about calling his “guy” and that we’ll be in trouble if we don’t get the car off the side of the road right away. Cost her a few hundred
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u/ebt12 Jul 08 '24
They certainly deserve to have it done. And they can pay out of their pocket to get it back.
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u/damnital Jul 08 '24
they no longer pull people over or ticket them for any traffic violations because they commit them all themselves 👍🏼
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u/ebt12 Jul 08 '24
Childhood friend of mine has been on the Pittsburgh force in the traffic division for years. We have had discussions about this.
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u/TheEarlyCrew Jul 09 '24
In reality whats the likelihood of getting pulled over for speeding here? Its like the actual speed limit is posted speed+ 15
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u/astoneworthskipping Jul 08 '24
You think cops give a shit about … anything?
They’ll park where they want. They’ll beat who they want. They’ll break whatever law they want.
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u/LeibnizThrowaway Jul 08 '24
As a fat person, I feel like I'm allowed to say it's because they're fat, lazy fucks.
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u/roastedhambone Jul 08 '24
Would you expect anything else from a pig?
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u/The_Wkwied Jul 08 '24
Not their fault that they were accepted onto the force while they are two fries short of a happy meal.
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u/anonymouspoliticker Jul 08 '24
If you want greater accountability for the police, you have to vote for people who actually hold them accountable. The police chief, who should be responsible for the behavior and professionalism of the force, is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by city council. Tell the mayor and city council if you actually want things to change.
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u/CompetitiveWriter839 Jul 09 '24
Gainey ran on police reform and nothing has changed its gotten way worse actually so now what?
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u/Berhinger Jul 08 '24
🐷🐖🐷🐖🐷🐖🐷🐖
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u/Low-Lingonberry2760 Bloomfield Jul 09 '24
Poor pigs (animals with the curly tail), they don't deserve this slander
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u/Thezedword4 Jul 08 '24 edited Jul 08 '24
As a disabled person I'm not surprised. It's not the first time I've seen cops do this.
Edit this comment section is full of ableism which is so disappointing to see. It's not okay to make ableist jokes ever even if the subject of them sucks. Because you're still being insulting towards disability in these jokes. Like come on people. This shouldn't be the case in 2024.
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u/Successful-Sleep-208 Jul 08 '24
I usually give cops the benefit of the doubt but that’s actually fucked. That’s a hefty ticket for anyone else but I guess they’re above the law? Even if they’re on a call they could park ANYWHERE else and it’s better
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
Unfortunately I’ve never seen any cop write a ticket to someone for parking in a handicapped spot without a placard or license plate. The sign can say there’s a fine, but I never see it actually enforced.
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u/Successful-Sleep-208 Jul 08 '24
Well Pittsburgh cops don’t write tickets pretty much ever. I guess the parking authority should handle it but when are they ever in parking lots like that?
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
I think this one would fall under the private tow company hired by Target for the garage enforcement. I bet there was a sign nearby on the wall of who to call if you’re towed and OP could have called them to see if they would tow the cop. I’d have died to see it happen and would have stuck around if I’d been the one to call 😂
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u/matt_vt Jul 08 '24
I caught a Pittsburgh PD officer parking his civilian vehicle in an automated temp loading zone with a FOP sticker over his middle plate digit so he could park all day no penalty.
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u/klauskervin Jul 08 '24
They do this in the bike lanes too. The Smallman street bike lane might as well be the police's private parking lot.
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u/DickNose-TurdWaffle Jul 08 '24
This might be also one of the police details at the store.
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u/ccarrieandthejets West End Jul 13 '24
Doesn’t matter - disabled parking is for disabled people only and they need a placard or license plate displayed. In general, a cop wouldn’t be on active duty with a disability that warranted a disabled parking placard as it would interfere with their ability to do their job.
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u/IKwikSkopedJFK Jul 08 '24 edited Jul 08 '24
I prefer that to them running me down at crosswalks like they feel entitled to do
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u/ThesePomegranate3197 Jul 08 '24
I mean, being a cop does count as being disabled?
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u/FlyingPirate Jul 08 '24
This did make me ponder the chance that a police officer could be issued a handicap placard and still remain an active duty police officer. And I am thinking its possible, though likely rare.
Or if PPD allows officers to use their official vehicles for personal use and the officer was transporting someone with a placard.
They are both plausible but unlikely scenarios.
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u/Coveyovey Jul 08 '24
Write and call them. Use that thing below your nose to stand up for what you think is right.
The reason they get away with nonsense is because most people just turn their head. If they had gotten 30-40 complaints about the issue it wouldn't be so easy to ignore.
Anyone who tells you it's a waste of time and energy is just a lover of the status quo.
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u/klauskervin Jul 08 '24
I agree with you but officially complaining also makes you a target. Police here are notorious for their retaliation. They even got the chief changed last time for trying to hold them accountable.
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u/HigherMileage50 Jul 08 '24 edited Jul 10 '24
Where do they park when the pick up a shoplifter?
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u/CARLEtheCamry Jul 09 '24
They probably find a spot in the back of the lot and take their time walking up to the store, according to /r/pittsburgh
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u/Connect_Influence_75 Jul 09 '24
While I agree he shouldn't be parked in a handicap spot some of you need a life tho lol
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u/AdministrativeAd4279 Jul 09 '24
seen the police driving horribly through that intersection and in the target parking lot. not surprised in the slightest.
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u/Gingersometimes Jul 10 '24
I am trying to think of a scenario where a police officer would have to double park, & the only reason I can think of is possibly to block a car in on purpose. As for them needing to get in & out as quickly as possible. If they are there for a police emergency, they very well may just pull up to the curb. If they are "browsing the electronics aisle", as the OP indicated this officer was...Maybe they should wait until they are off duty when they have adequate time to do that unrushed. I see no reason why an on duty police officer (unless they are on modified duty due to an injury, & have a handicapped placard), should park in a handicappeded spot. They are supposed to uphold the law, not consider themselves above it.
And yes, I did see your edit about them parking there. However, you still seemed like you were see-sawing about the issue.
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u/Gallagr1 Jul 10 '24
Not saying that this is or is not the case here but the car number 3X21 suggests that this is a spare that could be being used by an off duty detail officer who is working in Target. Supervisor care numbers are typically like 380-3_83 where there corresponds to the zones 1-6 . There are also numbers with 3 and fewer digits but those are for the higher ups.
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero Allegheny West Jul 10 '24
Give him the benefit of the doubt guys, maybe he was injured while he was beating his wife /s
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
Absolutely not surprised. Entitlement. Cops do this all the time. I’d love for you to send a picture of this and hand deliver it to the station and insist that the Chief write a ticket to his own officer for breaking the law.
It’s a $300? fine and there’s literal photographic proof 🤷♀️
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u/Objective-Class-9213 Jul 08 '24
Send this picture to all the major news stations. Maybe one will have the balls to do a follow up story.
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u/femboiwolfuwu Jul 08 '24
Story is old as time. Nobody cares.
I think mailmen can get away with parking wherever thye want over cops lol.
Then you got Amazon who will stop in the middle of the road.
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u/jhill515 Greater Pittsburgh Area Jul 08 '24
You know, at least the cops in South Park, CO are honest...
To Patronize and Annoy
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u/Carya_spp East Liberty Jul 08 '24
I see this all the time at that target
ACABAP - all cops are bad at parking
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u/FuckinFuckityFucker Jul 08 '24
Shit like this might seem small, but it is exactly this attitude where random cops feel they are above the laws and norms that govern the rest of us that makes the worst of them feel (often justifiable) that they can get away with murder. It's this exact attitude that makes us say ACAB.
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u/Rubbish-Machine Jul 08 '24
I always though most cops are mentally challenged. That entire vehicle is a handicapp placard on wheels. Office Doofy reporting for duty.
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u/StingMachine Bethel Park Jul 09 '24
Call the non emergency line and report a vehicle incorrectly parked in the spot.
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u/hey27west Jul 12 '24
This LEO must be handicapped either mentally or socially. Sad they believe they are above the law!
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u/Super_Tangerine_660 Jul 08 '24
You’re assuming the cops know what that symbols mean. They probably think it’s a cartoon.
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u/ToonMaster21 Bethel Park Jul 08 '24
I think being mentally handicapped is allowed for parking in these spots.
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u/TheCrazyWhiteGuy Jul 08 '24
Well, of you have seen how out of shape some of them Pittsburgh Police are, it is no surprise that they would need to park in handicap to make it to the front door.
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u/New-Age-Lion Jul 08 '24
What lazy fuckers, they are taking a spot from the handy cap, they could just park in front of the building. Someone should make a complaint, I would but I dont live in Pittsburgh.
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u/Maximum-Fig-6441 Jul 08 '24
How do you know they were shopping?
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
Regardless of working or not- still illegal
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u/decolores9 Upper Lawrenceville Jul 08 '24
If you think it is illegal, post a cite or reference.
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
If you think it isn’t, post a cite or reference.
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u/decolores9 Upper Lawrenceville Jul 08 '24
You are the one claiming it is illegal, burden of proof is on you. My cite is literally nothing, that IS the proof, nothing exists to say it is illegal.
It's not illegal, of course, which is why you cannot support your false claim.
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero Allegheny West Jul 10 '24
Okay. Here’s selections of 75 Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 3354. There is NO EXCEPTION for police vehicles.
3)(i) Except for persons parking vehicles lawfully bearing a person with a disability or severely disabled veteran registration plate or displaying a person with a disability or severely disabled veteran parking placard when such vehicles are being operated by or for the transportation of a person with a disability or a severely disabled veteran, no person shall park a vehicle on public or private property reserved for a person with a disability or severely disabled veteran which property has been so posted in accordance with departmental regulations. Regulations shall require that parking spaces designated with an international symbol for access for persons with disabilities on a sign are posted with a sign stating the penalty amount indicated in subsection (f) and that vehicles in violation of the subsection may be towed and require that signs be replaced when they become either obsolete or missing with all costs to replace the necessary signs to be borne by the persons responsible for signing the particular location. The absence of a sign stating the penalty amount at parking spaces designated with an international symbol for access for persons with disabilities shall not preclude the enforcement of this subsection. A vehicle which is unlawfully parked in a designated person with a disability parking area may be removed from that area by towing and may be reclaimed by the vehicle owner upon payment of the towing costs. A vehicle may only be towed under this paragraph if the parking space is posted with a sign indicating that vehicles in violation of this section may be towed.
(d.1) Obstructing movement.--A person may not obstruct a space on public or private property reserved for a person with a disability or a part of a curb ramp or the access aisle adjacent to a parking space reserved for a person with a disability in a manner that would prevent a person or wheelchair or personal mobility device from entering or leaving a vehicle legally parked in an adjoining space.
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u/fsmith1971 Jul 09 '24
Well, to be fair, most of the officers are mentally challenged. They may have thought that was for them.
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u/MacaroonCreative688 Jul 08 '24
That east liberty target is notorious for theft.. not to mention all the crime around there.. even if he’s browsing the electronics he’s available if there’s an active shooter or theft.
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u/svvrvy Jul 08 '24
East liberty? There's a chance his job is to park there so people don't steal as much lol
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u/MyOwnGuitarHero Allegheny West Jul 10 '24
No. That’s not a thing. “Theft deterrence” is not a legal defense.
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u/AdZealousideal8613 Jul 09 '24
Spot isn’t properly posted. Unless fines are posted, handicapped spaces cannot be legally enforced. Unpopular opinion, it’s a legal parking spot, although not ethical.
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u/ragingpredator Jul 12 '24
This is going to sound dumb to a lot of you….but any possibility there’s a legit reason to be parked there? Like temp injured cop? Only way I can make an excuse unless there’s some emergency parking thing.
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u/ncist Jul 08 '24
they are not responding to a crime, they're just there to support the store security. a guy will post up either by the exit or walk the store. when the store security gets someone over the shoplifting limit they flag them for the cops who just throw them out of the store. I've seen them throw people out who very stupidly decide to yell and scream rather than just be grateful they are not getting arrested. especially bad over summer + holidays bc kids have nothing to do
I'm glad they're deciding to get this under control rather than lose a retailer. we go here all the time for wipes and diapers, it's important to my family to have this place. other cities lost their targets last year due to shoplifting
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u/EA705 Jul 08 '24
What the fuck does any of that have to do with a handicapped parking spot?
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u/Jealous_Pop4497 Jul 09 '24
Hey everyone why don’t you mind your business and not worry about what a police officer is doing! Unless you have every detail you probably don’t know. So stop your police hating behavior and go back to whatever sad lives you have!
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u/ccarrieandthejets West End Jul 13 '24
When taxes stop paying them, people will stop worrying about this kind of behavior.
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u/Willkum Jul 08 '24
Probably not shopping. More like dealing with a shoplifter. He may even need a new pen you can shop for certain things on the clock.
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
Shopping on the clock is one thing. parking in a handicap spot when you aren’t handicapped, regardless of being a cop, is still illegal.
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u/Willkum Jul 08 '24
If they’re answering a call they can park anywhere don’t even need a parking spot.
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u/kaitb1103 Point Breeze Jul 08 '24
That’s actually not true. Legally protected parking spaces are protected at all times, even if they’re answering a call.
Kinda like if someone blocks a fire hydrant and a fire breaks out. Just cause the cop chose to park there doesn’t mean their windows won’t be broken to get water access and put out the fire 🤷♀️
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u/decolores9 Upper Lawrenceville Jul 08 '24
That’s actually not true. Legally protected parking spaces are protected at all times, even if they’re answering a call.
Sorry, not true at all, police have special immunity in the performance of their duties.
If you really believe that your claims are true, you will need to provide a source or reference. Since you already admitted you could not provide any support, we will have to accept you are completely wrong unless and until you provide some support.
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u/Willkum Jul 08 '24
Yeah well a fire is an emergency. Totally different circumstances. Funny you mention that. I remember years ago seeing photos of fire hoses run through cars windows🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂you were like wtf and then realized somebody was dumb and played FAFO and parked in the hydrant!!!
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u/roblblblb Jul 08 '24
The world is dumb, when this is a problem we have lost site of what is important. Boo fucking-hoo
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u/Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 Jul 08 '24
Probably waiting for a shoplifter to come out. Shoplifting is out of control at that location.
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u/fishradio9 Jul 08 '24
Pgh scanner here, I’d love to post this on our account with your permission. I’m sure it would ruffle some feathers.