Published: July 26, 2008 05:30 am ShareThisPrintThis
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Man cited for parking on marks next to handicapped spot
By Mike Stucka
Staff writer
BEVERLY - Doctors have to verify which of their patients are eligible for handicapped parking, but simply claiming to be a doctor didn't keep a Beverly man from getting a ticket Thursday in a handicapped parking area.
Beverly Patrolman John McCarthy, the department's spokesman, said revisions to a law have made it illegal to park on the hash marks next to handicapped parking spaces. The areas are marked off so disabled people can get in and out of their vehicles and buildings.
Police say Peter H. Dragonas, 71, left his BMW on those hash marks when he went into Super Sub at 2:56 p.m. Thursday. Patrolman Erik Abrahamson said he was writing the citation when Dragonas came out of the Cabot Street business, irate and proclaiming he was a doctor and Super Sub told him to park where he was.
"I asked him if he was handicapped and he was not. I told him he was in a handicap space and he stated he was not. He began to yell and cause a disturbance while pointing his key in my face," Abrahamson wrote in his report.
The officer said he told Dragonas if he didn't lower his voice and reduce the disturbance he would be arrested for disorderly conduct. Abrahamson wrote the ticket, and Dragonas promised to see him in court.
The state does not have an active physician's license in Dragonas' name, but Massachusetts Medical Board records listed a doctor by that name in a 2001 disciplinary action.
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Man cited for parking on marks next to handicapped spot
By Mike Stucka
Staff writer
BEVERLY - Doctors have to verify which of their patients are eligible for handicapped parking, but simply claiming to be a doctor didn't keep a Beverly man from getting a ticket Thursday in a handicapped parking area.
Beverly Patrolman John McCarthy, the department's spokesman, said revisions to a law have made it illegal to park on the hash marks next to handicapped parking spaces. The areas are marked off so disabled people can get in and out of their vehicles and buildings.
Police say Peter H. Dragonas, 71, left his BMW on those hash marks when he went into Super Sub at 2:56 p.m. Thursday. Patrolman Erik Abrahamson said he was writing the citation when Dragonas came out of the Cabot Street business, irate and proclaiming he was a doctor and Super Sub told him to park where he was.
"I asked him if he was handicapped and he was not. I told him he was in a handicap space and he stated he was not. He began to yell and cause a disturbance while pointing his key in my face," Abrahamson wrote in his report.
The officer said he told Dragonas if he didn't lower his voice and reduce the disturbance he would be arrested for disorderly conduct. Abrahamson wrote the ticket, and Dragonas promised to see him in court.
The state does not have an active physician's license in Dragonas' name, but Massachusetts Medical Board records listed a doctor by that name in a 2001 disciplinary action.