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Worcester reports spike in handicap‑parking enforcement in FY2024; city says fines go to general fund
Summary
City staff reported 1,050 HP‑related violations in fiscal 2024, with 924 violations for parking in handicapped spaces and 126 for blocking ramps, generating about $210,000 in fines; staff said parking fine revenue is deposited to the city general fund per state law, though participants noted conflicting practices in other municipalities.
Worcester staff presented enforcement data on handicapped (HP) parking and related violations covering fiscal year 2024 and the prior year. Staff said enforcement increased significantly in FY24 and reported 1,050 total violations for the fiscal year: 924 violations for parking in accessible spaces and 126 violations for blocking access to a ramp. Revenue collected for those violations was reported as approximately $210,000 for FY24, up from about $147,000 the prior fiscal year.
"Last year, we had a significantly increased emphasis on enforcement... So we saw the amount of infractions across the board go up quite a bit... In fiscal year 24, we had a total of, 1,050 violations. I believe I just did the math in my head correctly. That's 924 violations in an accessible parking space and then 126 blocking access to a ramp. The total amount collected for that was $210,000," a Transportation Department staff member told the commission.
Staff said, "And that's by state law," when asked where collected parking fine dollars are deposited. Commissioners and public commenters noted they had heard conflicting information from other municipalities and from the Massachusetts Office on Disability regarding whether jurisdictions ever retain fines for local accessibility programs; staff offered to research and follow up on the practice so the commission could have a definitive citation.
The commission did not take any formal action on the data; staff presented it as an informational item and suggested that consistent reporting and follow up with state offices could clarify whether any local exceptions apply.
