USVI-On-Line

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Blu - I agree with you. Paying a ticket is an admission of guilt, and you should be given the opportunity to plead one way or another before being forced to pay the penalty.

I still say I'd be tempted to say go ahead and cuff me, charge me with a crime, whatever... but that's here, where there is due process. Down there I'd be afraid they'd lock me up - THEN go on island time!

Believe me, I've talked my way out more than one ticket!

I guess my next question is..... how is this parking spot noted???? I mean, what is the signage, and notification of it's designation? Been a couple years, but I do not even recall a handicap spot..... Maybe Ruth or someone else on island can get a quick pic to show us.....
TC

ShelleyZ, thanks for speaking up for Thomas. I would like to speak up for him as well. I had the opportunity to speak to him this week regarding what happened, and he is so upset that his name is associated with this incident. I had the opportunity to watch Thomas work with his customers (Hospitality is next to Caps...the smoothie stand there is Thomas' as well), and I have NEVER seen anyone on this island provide better customer service than he does.
Car rental companies are often stuck with fines given to tourists because the tourists and police fail to notify these companies when a ticket is issued. Tickets are issued to the cars, not the drivers, and when a rental agency attempts to register their cars each year, they MUST pay off all tickets on the car.
As for the policewoman...she says she warned them twice to move, but the couple disputes that.
If everyone stopped in the handicapped parking space to unload their luggage, the truly handicapped would never be able to park there.
Yes, it's a crappy situation, and of course I immediately thought "scam" when I heard the story, but I'm so glad I took the time to talk to Thomas and get his side of the story as well. No one likes to pay tickets...imagine paying numerous tickets each year that you didn't even receive (earn?)

I just want to say that I posted the original letter from the Tradewinds as a warning to all of us who try to unload luggage at the ferry dock area. We have never used a rental car company that offers the service to drop us off and are often struggling to get in and out of there quickly. (Jorge - I'll be looking for your company in June!)

I agree that handicapped spots are there for the handicapped and the couple should not have parked there. However, if they were given a warning and did not move they have no reason to be upset. But, if no wanring was given, I believe they did deserve one before being handed a ticket for $1000.

I also want to say that I fully support Thomas and Hospitality Car Rental as I do not believe this situation has anything to do with them and they are an innocent third party to the events that took place. Although I have not rented from them, I have heard nothing but positive things in the past.

Tracy

On a lighter note, my SO (64 years young) loved the fact that in some places, he could be referred to as "elderly".

We were laughing our a$$e$ off about that. I know it was in no way meant to be mean, but it did give us a good laugh

He loves to mess with me and ask if there are senior citizen discounts

nothintolose

A warning is not needed here. Everyone knows about the handicapped parking laws. If there's a space that is for handicapped, it is for handicapped. If you park there, even for a moment, you get a hefty ticket. The warning is the fact that you read that in your driver's test study booklet.

They didn't deserve a warning. This isn't a "VI ONLY" law. Everyone knows the law.

They deserved the ticket. The only issue I find is whether or not they should have been charged for it as part of their car rental fee, without due process.

I have to agree, Bluewater. Handicapped spots are for handicapped, period. However, $1000 fine? I'd think $100 would be reasonable.