Danbury disability commission hears results of police ticket blitz that included 28 handicap citations

At its Sept. 10 meeting, the Danbury Commission for Persons with Disabilities heard an update from the Chair on a June police enforcement effort aimed at keeping accessible spaces clear.

The Chair said she met with the deputy police chief and staff including Julie Kushner and that officers ran a ticket blitz from June 17–23 to discourage illegal parking in locations that block accessibility. The Chair reported the enforcement figures read at the meeting: 11 sidewalk tickets, one crosswalk ticket, 12 fire-lane tickets, three hydrant tickets, 44 violations of no-parking signs and 28 handicap parking citations. The Chair said the blitz was intended to ensure handicapped parking spaces remain available to placard holders.

The Chair told commissioners the department also agreed to notify delivery drivers and other frequent visitors not to block handicap spaces, whether on private property or in public areas. She said the Commission’s role is limited to outreach and encouragement rather than formal enforcement: "We can help you or guide you... maybe I'll nudge them a little bit," she said.

Commissioners praised the enforcement effort as a practical step to protect access but did not record further formal action. The Chair also said on-demand transportation remains an open item for future follow-up.

The Commission did not provide a written police report at the meeting. The transcript records two different figures for the number of "obstructing traffic" citations (10 in one place and 15 in another); the Chair read a sequence of categories and numbers aloud during the update. Members who want details about enforcement methods or a complete police tally were not recorded as requesting a formal written report at this meeting.