Operation Access, a joint project between the Commission on Disability and the Newton Police Department, has raised $3,600 in fines from handicapped parking violations.
The project aims to crack down on violations by giving the police department’s traffic bureau extra funding to monitor for the infractions at an increased rate.
Funding for Operation Access comes from the fines for the violation themselves. The commission votes each fall to give some of this revenue to the Police Department to fund the effort.
According to Captain Daniel Devine, Commander of the Traffic Bureau for Newton Police, the Commission gave the Department a $7,500 grant for the project this year.
Since Dec. 4., officers have been dispatched from around 3:30 to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and from noon to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Officers have been monitoring areas for violations like non-placarded cars parked in handicapped spots, and cars blocking curb cuts or ramps used by individuals with mobility issues.
Money from the fines goes back to the Commission, which can use it to finance accessible infrastructural improvements for the city, and events raising awareness on issues within the disabled community.
“The purpose of it is to educate our community around parking accessibility and enforcement,” said Ima Jonsdottir, co-chair of the commission.
Captain Devine told the Beacon that the project was started in 2017, after members of the Commission expressed frustration at numerous handicapped parking spot violations throughout Newton, particularly in the Wegmans parking lot and The Shops at Chestnut Hill.
Captain Devine took over the project after its previous head, Traffic Sergeant John Babcock, announced his retirement during last Monday’s Commission on Disability meeting.
John Lovett, co-chair of the Commission, thanked Sergeant Babcock for his work on Operation Access with the Commission.
“Thank you so much for all your cooperation, for working with us. I’m sure everyone on this zoom wishes you a very happy and well-deserved retirement,” he said.
Captain Devine anticipates that Operation Access will continue until the grant money runs out, which in years past has been around Dec. 26.