Warning: In response to legitimate complaints by people with ADA parking permits, the Bainbridge Island Police Department recently became more aggressive in enforcing illegal parking by people without permits in the seven ADA spots located near the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. Some violators have received a $450 ticket, even when they are parked only temporarily while unloading passengers.

Police Cmdr. Sue Shultz said the tickets are non-negotiable, though that’s always up to the individual officer’s discretion. Disabled citizens, some of whom have been complaining for years about the terminal’s ADA parking spaces being used by drivers without permits, say it’s about time police begin enforcing the law. Why now? BIPD recently hired a new parking enforcement officer and can devote more time to the terminal.

It’s a sticky situation since the city is forced to administer an area owned by the state, which would prefer no involvement whatsoever with this “parking lot from hell” that islanders and commuters have been experiencing for years. About the only choice open to  drivers trying to drop off a passenger – if the right-lane parking area is full, as it often is – is illegal parking in one space or another. That’s probably not a wise option now.

Why not get a little exercise by parking up on Winslow Way East where there are often empty two-hour parking spaces? For one, people argue, it can be treacherous when walking with luggage through the terminal parking lot. Secondly, people are used to the airport dropoff scene and want it here, too.

Regardless, Shultz said there will be no backing off the recent increase in enforcement, which means islanders will need to make the adjustment – unless they want to gamble against receiving an expensive parking ticket. It seems unfair, perhaps, but those of us without restrictive disabilities should always put the well-being of those who bear that cross ahead of our own personal needs. Even if for only a parking-lot moment.