Tuesday, February 19, 2008

FireFighter License Plate – Free Pass?


Should vehicles with Illinois FireFighter Memorial (F/F) license plates get a free pass on parking violations? Do their drivers expect free passes?

Frequently I wonder whether police officers routinely ticket such vehicles when parking violations are observed, just as the same as they would with any other vehicle.

About 4:50PM a white Chevrolet Blazer-type vehicle was parked on Sheila Street in front of 1948 Sheila, on the south side of the street where No Parking This Side of Street signs are posted every few driveways. There can be no doubt in any driver’s mind that parking on that side of the street is illegal. The license plate: WATR (Firefighter Memorial special plate). Let’s see; could that possibly be a firefighter’s Chevrolet?

I was in the neighborhood to talk to residents about tonight’s City Council meeting and a proposed ordinance to make Sheila Street no-parking in both directions AND a tow-away zone. In fact, the only street in Woodstock from which illegally parked cars would be towed.

Thirty minutes later the vehicle was still there, and about five minutes after that the driver came out of the house and drove away.

Why do firemen and cops ante up the extra bucks for these plates? I’m sure it’s out of the goodness of their hearts that they want to donate funds to the respective memorials, and they don’t ever expect a break from an officer. Or do they? Of course, they do!

One of the breaks is they probably won’t even get stopped in the first place. Another break occurs when they are told to ease up on the pedal, and their license, registration and insurance might not even get checked. Or they get a Warning, not a Citation.

And the poor guy across the street on Sheila? Whammo! Sock it to ‘em! Big-time!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Should this story be in the fiction or non-fiction section of the library? Lots of what ifs and probablys. Since you were out bothring other citizens and had the time to wait why didn't you call the police,see what happened, and report facts?

Anonymous said...

Gus going door to door! The Delusions of grandeur Tour! Get your tickets now.

Anonymous said...

He came to my door (on Sheila St.) and asked if I wanted an advocate at last nights village meeting. I said yes and then he said all I had to pay was $19.99! I told him i only had 10 dollars and he said i could make up the rest in my bedroom! After that was over i made him pay me because of his lack of skills. It was a good deal. He could be my advocate anyday. Snuzerluv

Anonymous said...

Hey Gus anybody can get firefighter plates not just firemen. If you went to the DMV right now you could put them on your little red Beetle.

Anonymous said...

Gus, you can be my advocate any day. That jerk Snoozer must be a real idiot, probablt works for the government huh? Did she really pay you 19.99 for advocacy services? Not a bad wage for 35 seconds worth of work, you little jack rabbit! Now I know what a real minute man looks like: short, fat, bald, with a pocket protector, and looking very much like or in a bug ... or maybe I know what a 35 second man looks like! Robby M.

Anonymous said...

hey moron, anybody would pay more for any kind of special plates, not just for cops and fireman so they can't get ticketed. why don't you do some research before posting about on here without knowing any facts. shouldn't an advocate know their stuff??????

Anonymous said...

Gus,
i understand what you are getting at with fireman. now you said that you were a police officer at one time. what was told to you about fireman, nurses, doctors? Do you think all you want to due is cause problems and more problems.

Anonymous said...

Hey cool guy. Buy yourself some firefighter plates, since any joe schmo can buy them not just a fire fighter, and maybe you won't get your idiotic ass kicked when they see you in your equally idiotic car!!