GREENFIELD — A Greenfield police cruiser was issued a $200 ticket after it was photographed Monday in a Main Street parking space reserved for those with legally issued disability placards.
According to the Greenfield Police Department’s Facebook page, this was not an authorized use for the officer’s duties and the officer notified Deputy Chief William Gordon of the error. Gordon reportedly spoke with Police Chief Robert Haigh Jr., who ordered a violation be issued to the vehicle, as would be done with any civilian vehicle committing the same civil infraction.
Gordon said the officer’s name is being withheld under a department policy related to personnel matters.
The parking space in question is in front of the Namaste Indian/Nepalese restaurant at 286 Main St. Gordon said the Greenfield Department of Public Works will trim a branch of the tree near the sign to make it more visible.
“The reason for me … going to social media was not to bash the police,” said Diana Nunez, who took the photograph of the cruiser parked in the handicapped spot. “It’s really about accountability. … You’d think with everything going on with the police, they’d be more careful. The fact they aren’t, even though they’re being watched, shows there’s no accountability.”
Nunez said she believes those in uniform should be held to a higher standard.
“There’s no excuses,” Gordon commented. “The officer was wrong and he shouldn’t have done that.”
Gordon said Haigh’s position is that the parking fine should not be paid with taxpayer money and the police chief made a personal donation to the Green River House, a local community organization that assists adults recovering from mental illness.
Like any other parking ticket, the parking ticket was issued to a specific vehicle and not an individual. Gordon said the fine will not come out of the Police Department’s general funds, although he did not elaborate on where the money would come from.
Police officers are allowed to park in reserved spots only to respond to emergencies, but Gordon said he generally never hears of that happening. He said this is the first time in his 32 years in law enforcement he’s been aware of an officer doing this.
“The officer is very upset with himself and embarrassed,” Gordon said. “It was totally not intentional and he’s suffering the consequences of his actions. The department has a very progressive disciplinary policy, and that’s being used.”
When reached by phone Tuesday, Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher, who serves on Greenfield’s Commission on Disability Access, said the Police Department has handled the situation appropriately.
Reach Domenic Poli at dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262. Staff Writer Mary Byrne contributed to this report.