In New Jersey, according to NJ.com, state leaders are considering bills that would offer free meter parking for disabled veterans and Congressional Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients.
“…these warriors would be exempted from paying fees at municipal parking meters if their cars display the state-issued license plates denoting their classification.
Although largely symbolic, the gesture is an elegant and altogether fitting way for the Garden State to say “Thank you” to its sons and daughters, many of whom interrupted their own lives to put their country first.”
The benefits would be provided only to those whose vehicles have to correct plates. It is reported that the state has issued about 100 such plates in the last four years, so the loss of income for municipalities would be minimal.
If anyone deserves free parking, it’s disabled and distinguished veterans, but this news item brings to mind a similar benefit offered to the handicapped that causes no end of parking enforcement issues. It’s one thing to pretend to be handicapped or make use of a fake handicapped parking placard, but to impersonate a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient is a crime of a different magnitude. You know there will be people who will try it and others who will abuse the privilege offered to qualified friends or family members.
This is a terrific idea, as long is it is set up in a way that prevents fraud and guarantees enforcement.
Read the entire article here.
