Disabled Parking Abuse

We've been living in an apartment complex for the past month or so.  We were quite fortunate that a ground level apartment with disabled parking (2 spaces for the building) was available when we wanted to move in.  The 2 spaces serve about 14 apartments, mine included.  On many occasions, at least one of my neighbors with no placard or plate would park in one of the disabled spaces.  On several other occasions, another neighbor with an expired (for 5 months) temporary placard, would park in one also.  There are plenty of parking spaces for this building, just the disabled spaces happen to be closest to the breezeway entry.

I have called the police and had them come out for one of the cars (without the expired temporary permit) twice so far.  This person continues to park there.  This morning when I left for work, both disabled spaces were taken by cars without placards or plates.  There were at least 3 open parking spaces no more than 100 feet from the entrance.  I am more than annoyed.  While I don't need the space today (or yesterday), at any moment my body may decide that it doesn't want to function properly.  When that happens, the ability to use the disabled parking space really makes a difference in my ability to take care of things myself. 

I don't understand why these people think that it is okay for them to park in a disabled parking space.  I know for a fact that at least one of the drivers of these cars has seen me use the disabled space.  When I use the disabled space consistently (once Remicade wears off and I can no longer walk long distances), they tend to avoid parking there, but as soon as I begin parking in a regular space, they begin to treat it like their own personal reserved parking space.  Even if they think they have reason to use those spaces, they need to do like everyone else and go get a placard from the DMV.

Where we live the penalties for parking in a disabled space are mild for first time offenders ($50 fine).  Second time offenders get a $200 fine and must perform 40 hours of community service for an organization that serves the disabled.  I only hope that the primary offender will have to pay the larger fine and do community service.  According to our apartment lease, the apartment complex will tow those who park in disabled parking spaces...  Maybe that's what has to happen.