Galveston offers free handicap Seawall parking, but it hasn't stopped tickets from coming

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- After complaints about people with handicap tags receiving tickets for parking on the Seawall, the city council is set to talk about ways to address the issue.

For Robert Peterson and his wife, a quick trip to the Seawall is helpful with his handicap tag. "You can park in any place, any spot, and they will not charge you for it," Peterson said.

Yet, Peterson said, despite city rules stating he gets free handicap street parking, it hasn't stopped tickets from arriving.

"It was frustrating because we had to take the time to physically go down to the courthouse," Peterson recalled. "You couldn't do it online."

He's not the only one. About a month ago, social media posts with dozens of comments sharing similar stories appeared.

Some council members, including Marie Robb, took notice. The issue, Galveston city leaders said, is enforcement technology.

The island uses plate readers. The technology looks to see if there's paid parking tied to the plate.

If not, a ticket is issued. The problem, city leaders said, is that the technology isn't recognizing handicap placards.

Now, the council plans to talk about what it can do to change this at this week's workshop meeting.

It's not just handicap enforcement concerns being discussed this week. If anyone is issued a parking ticket, they have 21 days to address it.

The thing is, if you get a ticket on the Seawall, you won't see it on the windshield. It's mailed. By the time violators receive it, council members say they have less than 21 days to address it.

These are issues that Peterson said need to be addressed.

"When they depend on technology too much, technology's not perfect," Peterson said. "We know it's going to make mistakes."

Peterson said he shouldn't need to spend this amount of time when his tag should allow him to avoid parking tickets.

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