In Austin, anyway.
Ever see someone parked illegally and wanted to do something about it? Your chance might be coming.
A new smartphone app could allow people in Austin to report illegal parking in spots reserved for people with disabilities.
The City Council on Thursday will consider a resolution to link such an app to city offices. People would simply snap a photo and send it to the city, which would dispatch authorities to ticket the violators.
[…]
“The only way we’re going to be able to address the problem is if we enlist help from ordinary citizens,” [Council Member Chris] Riley said. “A citizen (can) bring the problem to the city’s attention, and the city then deals with it.”
Officials said one company that has developed such an app is Parking Mobility, a nonprofit group with offices in Austin . The city staff would decide whether to use Parking Mobility or another company and return to the council with a proposal in three months.
This was to happen last week, but I never saw a followup story to say if it passed or not. Be that as it may, I understand that in Houston private citizens can be given training to assist in the enforcement of handicapped parking laws, for which the fine for a violation increased from $205 to $500 a few months ago. Something like this would just take that a step further. Seems like a good idea to me.
I am all over this if it happens. Thanks for the pointer; I need to look into it.