Texas Accessible Parking Education & Monitoring Programs

• Alvin
• Amarillo
• Angleton
• Arlington
• Austin
• Beaumont
• Bryan
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas
• Denton
• Denton County
• Edinburg
• El Paso
• Fort Worth
• Harlingen
• Houston
• Huntsville
• Irving
• Killeen
• Lake Jackson
• Laredo
• Lufkin
• McKinney
• Midland
• Nacogdoches
• Plainview
• San Angelo
• San Antonio
• Travis County
• Tyler

Alvin Police Department

Contact
Chief Mike Merkel
1500 South Gordon Street
Alvin, Texas 77511
281-585-7101
281-388-4380 (fax)
mmerkel@apd.cityofalvin.com
http://www.alvinpolice.com/programs.shtml

Citizen's Patrol Program Description:
Alvin City Council passed a volunteer Handicap Parking Program ordinance providing that volunteers can complete the Citizen's Academy and the Citizens Patrol training and give citations to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces. A total of 80 hours of training must be completed, and issues covered range from procedures and operations, traffic code, city laws, and court room testimony. Volunteers share a Citizen's Patrol vehicle, so they must coordinate patrol times with one another. They also use cameras, donated by local businesses as a result of volunteer fundraising. Volunteers are asked to attend two one-hour monthly meetings.

Amarillo Police Department*

Contact
Sergeant Steve Davis
200 South East Third Street
Amarillo, Texas 79101
806-378-3038
806-378-3031 (fax)
steve.davis@ci.amarillo.texas.us

Volunteer Handicap Patrol Program Description:
With nine hours of training, volunteers can distribute citations to vehicles parked in accessible spaces without tags. Training includes information on ticketing and accessible parking laws, defining a well marked spot, how to issue a citation, non-confrontation, and court room testimony. Volunteers also attend monthly one-hour meetings to receive additional training. Once volunteers are qualified to give citations, they are issued uniforms, cameras, and a training packet; they set up formal patrol times with one another and are required to travel in pairs.

Angleton Police Department

Contact
Captain Katherine Davis
Angleton Police Department
104 Cannan Dr.
Angleton, Texas 77515
979-849-2383
979-849-2387 (fax)
kdavis@angletonpd.net
http://www.angletonpd.net/index.php?x=citizens

Citizens on Patrol Program Description:
Volunteers issue tickets to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces. First, citizens must graduate from the Citizens Police Academy, logging 36 hours of training time. Upon graduation volunteers can take an additional four hours of training to participate in the Citizens on Patrol (COP) program and become certified to issue tickets.

Arlington Police Department*

Contact
Thomas Kiker
Arlington Police Department
620 W. Division St.
Arlington, Texas 76011
817-459-5333
http://www.arlingtonpd.org/

Citizen Handicap Parking Patrol Program Description:
After citizens began to address quality of life issues in parking accessibility, the police department created a volunteer program. Now, volunteers are authorized to issue warnings or citations for improperly parked vehicles. Training includes a four-hour course covering rules of the program, handicap parking laws, citation procedures, and courtroom demeanor and conduct. Volunteers receive traffic vests and vehicle placards. Volunteers are not permitted to ticket alone or between the hours of 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. and must provide their location to the city's police dispatch unit.

Austin Police Department*

Contact
Yolanda Buchman
Austin Police Department
Volunteers in Policing
PO Box 689001
Austin, Texas 78768-9001
512-974-4719
Yolanda.buchman@ci.austin.texas.us
http://www.ci.austin.Texas.us/police/community.htm

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPs) Program Description:
VIPs started with the Austin Transportation Division's Parking Meter Unit and the Mayor's Taskforce, and then it moved to the police department. After three hours of training, volunteers can patrol at their pleasure and ticket unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces. Training includes information on non-confrontational communication, procedures, and safety. With training, volunteers receive identifying t-shirts, volunteer ID badges, and ticket writing materials.

Beaumont Public Works Department*

Contact
Marc Arlease, Public Works Department
City of Beaumont
PO Box 3827
Beaumont, Texas 77701
409-880-3725
409-880-3112 (fax)
marlease@ci.beaumont.texas.us

Program Description:
The Beaumont Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities provides funding for a part-time accessible parking advocate who takes pictures of unauthorized vehicles parked in accessible spaces. The Municipal Court then issues a citation to the violator. Individuals interested in volunteering should

Contact Officer Eric Wilson at 409-880-3802 or at bmtcop@aol.com.

Bryan Police Department*

Contact
Cary Beason
Bryan Police Department
301 South Texas Avenue
Bryan, Texas 77803
979-209-5349
979-209-5378 (fax)
beasonc@ci.bryan.texas.us

Program Description:
Bryan has no formal volunteer program. Any interested citizen should

Contact Cary Beason.

Corpus Christi Police Department*

Contact
Captain Bob MacDonald
321 John Sartain Street
PO Box 9016
Corpus Christi, Texas 78469
361-886-2686
RobertMA@cctexas.com
http://www.ccpolice.com/?fuseaction=main.view&page=2359

Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Training Program Description:
After several citizens brought accessible parking concerns to the Corpus Christi police, a program was developed to train citizens. Volunteers can ticket unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces after graduating from the Citizen's Police Academy with 42 hours of training and completing an additional four hours of training covering transportation code, parking laws, procedures, and non-confrontational communication. Volunteers are issued a "Parking Control" vest, radio, and a ticket book; they may also qualify to use a city vehicle. Upon completing training, volunteers are asked to attend monthly meetings.

Dallas Police Department*

Contact
Dallas has six districts which maintain volunteer programs, to find the program for your area, go to:
http://www.dallaspolice.net/index.cfm?page_ID=1183

This information was provided by:
Keith Allen
Dallas Police Department
3034 South Hall Street Room 205
Dallas, Texas 75226
214-670-0659
Keith.Allen@dpd.dallascityhall.com
http://www.dallaspolice.net/index.cfm?page_ID=3017&subnav=53&openid=5

Citizens Helping In Parking Solutions (CHIPS) Program Description:
As several volunteers of the police department became more concerned about parking accessibility, a training program was developed which allows citizens to become qualified to cite improperly parked vehicles. To qualify as a volunteer, citizens must graduate from the Citizen's Police Academy by taking a 10 week course, or graduating from the Volunteers In Patrol (VIP) program, a seven hour course. Upon graduation, volunteers can enroll in an eight hour training course covering traffic code, non-confrontation, geography of Dallas and procedures. Then volunteers are issued a vest, citation book, and map. Volunteers are required to travel in pairs, and are asked to attend informal monthly meetings.

Denton Police Department*

Contact
Jim Bryan
Denton Police Department
601 East Hickory, Suite E
Denton, Texas 76205
940-349-8160
940-381-5313 (fax)
jebryan@cityofdenton.com

Volunteers in Policing Services Program Description:
After a concerned citizen brought an example of a volunteer parking program, the Denton Police Department decided to begin one. Now, volunteers can receive four to five hours of classroom training and four to eight hours of field training to qualify for issuing citations to improperly parked vehicles. Volunteers use their own vehicles and patrol in pairs. While on patrol, volunteers have access to a ticket book, cell phone, vest, camera and a magnetic sign for their vehicles. Volunteers are asked to patrol 12 hours every quarter.

Denton County

Contact
Tom Reedy, Public Information Officer
Denton County Sheriff's Office
127 North Woodrow Lane
Denton, Texas 76205-6397
940-349-1616

Program Description:
Denton County Sheriff's Office has an individual who enforces accessible parking laws part-time.

Edinburg Police Department

Contact
Peter de la Garza
1702 South Closner
Edinburg, Texas 78539
956-289-7700
956-381-6753 (fax)
qmunoz@ci.edinburg.texas.us

Citizens on Patrol (COP) Program Description:
The Public Safety Committee, a citizen based group of concerned citizens, brought accessible parking to the forefront. Now volunteers can take a four hour training course on parking laws and non-confrontational resolution then qualify to give citations for improperly parked vehicles. Volunteers are issued a ticket book and patrol at their pleasure.

El Paso Police Department*

Contact
Fred Gromand; 915-564-7368; gromandf@elpasotexas.gov
Letty Trejo; 915-564-7368; trejol@elpasotexas.gov
Liz Ovalle; 915-564-7088; ovallee@elpasotexas.gov
El Paso Police Department
Headquarters, Volunteer Program Room 125A
911 North Raynor
El Paso, Texas 79903
http://www.ci.el=paso.texas.us/police/print_volunteer.asp

Disabled Parking Enforcement Program Description:
A group of concerned citizens came together with the goal to increase access to public places by finding a way to assist in enforcing accessible parking laws. Now, volunteers can become certified to issue citations by taking a 30 hour training course covering defensive driving, sexual harassment, use of a radio, and accessible parking laws. Then volunteers are issued shirts, hats, and ID cards identifying their membership in the Volunteer Handicap Parking Enforcement Program and a ticket book. Volunteers are also expected to attend bi-monthly meetings and patrol four hours a month.

Fort Worth Police Department*

Contact
J. J. Wagner, Traffic Control Supervisor
Fort Worth Police Department, NPD #1
500 East First Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
817-871-6417
j.wagner@fortworthgov.org
http://www.fortworthpd.com/

Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program Description:
After a City Ordinance was passed, the Police Department and the City of Fort Worth Community Relations Department began working together to enforce accessible parking laws. Now volunteers can complete four hours of training and give citations to improperly parked vehicles. Each volunteer is issued a traffic vest which displays "Volunteer Parking Enforcement", an ID badge, a citation book, and magnetic signs for vehicles. Volunteers patrol at their pleasure, and they are asked to attend annual meetings.

Harlingen Police Department

Contact
Lieutenant Garcia
Volunteers in Policing (VIP)
1102 South Commerce
Harlingen, Texas 78550
956-216-5401
argarcia@harlingenpolice.com
http://www.myharlingen.us/volunteer.htm

Volunteers in Policing (VIP) Program Description:
After Harlingen's police chief established VIP, citizens can receive four hours of training on local city ordinances, types of accessible parking permits, some state laws, traffic code, and DPS regulations on accessible placards and license plates. After training, volunteers are qualified patrol at their pleasure, and they are asked to attend monthly meetings to continue training.

Houston Municipal Court

Contact
City Hall Annex, Public Level, Ste. 019
Houston, Texas 77002
713-437-6165
713-803-3199 (fax)
volunteer@cityofhouston.net
http://www.houstontexas.gov/volunteer/

Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program Description:
With strong support of volunteer coordinators, citizens can issue tickets to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces after completing four hours of training on parking laws and procedures. Volunteers are issued City of Houston ID cards and caps. This program is very non-confrontational and is considered "citizen friendly." The program is also the most flexible and the most popular in Houston's Volunteer Initiative Program.

Huntsville Police Department*

Contact
Officer Everett Harrell
Huntsville Police Department
1220 11th Street
Huntsville, Texas 77340
936-291-5480
936-291-5433 Fax
eharrell@huntsvilletexas.gov
http://www.huntsvillepolice.com/community/citizen_academy.htm

Program Description:
At the time of this writing, Huntsville has no formal volunteer parking program. Interested parties should

Contact Officer Harrell.

Irving Police Department*

Contact
Officer Robbi Cline
Irving Citizens on Patrol Coordinator
Irving Police Department
305 North O'Connor Road
Irving, Texas 75061
972-721-3557
972-721-3731 (fax)
Rrcline@ci.irving.texas.us
http://www.irvingpd.com/icop.htm

Citizens Police Academy Program Description:
The program evolved as the Irving Citizens on Patrol program developed. In order to volunteer to give citations, citizens must graduate from the Citizens Police Academy and complete additional field training while on patrol, totaling 45 hours of training. Volunteers are issued a uniform, vehicle magnet, ID badge, cameras, and a two-way radio. Volunteers are required to travel in pairs and are asked to attend at least half of the monthly meetings.

Killeen Police Department*

Contact
Carroll Smith, Specialist
Killeen Police Department
Handicapped Parking Enforcement
402 North 2nd Street
Killeen, Texas 76541-5298
254-501-8807
254-462-6106 (cell)
254-616-1805 (fax)
csmith@ci.killeen.texas.us

Handicapped Parking Enforcement Program Description:
To assist police officers in enforcing accessible parking laws, the department initiated a Handicapped Parking Enforcement Program. Now volunteers can receive four hours of training and qualify to ticket individuals improperly parked in accessible parking spaces. Volunteers are issued vests and shirts which identify their organization; are equipped with cellular phones, cameras, and police radios. Volunteers are asked to patrol eight hours a month and to attend quarterly meetings, where volunteers continue their education and receive updates on new laws and procedures.

Lake Jackson Police Department

Contact
Captain Jim Dunlap
Lake Jackson Police Department
5A Oak Drive
Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
979-297-1101
979-297-4573 (fax)
ljdunlap@brazosport.edu
http://www.ci.lake-jackson.texas.us/pd/disabled.html

Disabled Parking Program Description:
Lake Jackson City Council passed a city ordinance which authorized the Police Department to train graduates of the Citizens Police Academy to monitor parking violators. After receiving a total of 38 hours of training, citizens can record a parking violation and report back to the Police Department, who then process citations with the help of the municipal court. Volunteers are issued a reflective vest that says "Disabled Parking Enforcement Task Force," a radio, and a cell phone. Volunteers use a marked vehicle from the police department while on patrol and must coordinate with one another to share the program vehicle. Currently the group is most active at holiday times.

Laredo Municipal Court

Contact
Adriana Haro
2820 San Benardo
Laredo, Texas 78040
956-712-8463
956-712-2265 (fax)
adrianaharo@yahoo.com

Program Description:
As a result of a city ordinance, the Municipal Court now administers a volunteer parking program. Usually volunteers work with Time Dollar Bank (www.neighborhoodlink.com/org/choicestimebank/), as part of the B.E.S.T. (Bringing Everyone Special Together) program. A three hour training session is provided by the police department, and afterwards volunteers are issued ID cards which are good for one year. Citations can be issued to occupied or unoccupied vehicles; this is left to the volunteer's discretion, and volunteers are free to patrol at their pleasure.

Lufkin Police Department

Contact
David Young
Lufkin Police Department
PO Box 190
Lufkin, Texas 75902
936-633-0321
936-633-0361 (fax)
dyoung@lufkinpolice.com
http://cityoflufkin.com/police/

Citizens on Patrol (COPS) Program Description:
Volunteers receive four hours of training along with a ticket book and reference sheets on accessible parking laws. Once training is complete volunteers can issue tickets to improperly parked vehicles at their pleasure.

McKinney Police Department

Contact
Officer Randy Haak, Community Services Division
McKinney Police Department
130 South Chestnut
McKinney, Texas 75069
972-547-7682
972-542-9156 (fax)
rhaak@mckinneytexas.org
http://www.nacop.org/mckinney/aboutus.htm

Citizens on Patrol Program Description:
After graduating from the Citizens Police Academy, a 36 hour course on the police department and infrastructure, citizens can begin an eight hour program, Citizens on Patrol, and qualify to give citations to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces. Training for Citizens on Patrol covers transportation code, patrol procedures, and a 7-point violator

Contact procedure. Volunteers must patrol with the McKinney Citizens on Patrol vehicle and attend monthly meetings. The Citizens on Patrol volunteer group also runs the child ID program and is active in various other volunteer opportunities within the community.

Midland Police Department*

Contact
Sargent Dale Seago
Midland Police Department
601 North Lorraine
Midland, Texas 79701
915-685-1692
915-686-1687 (fax)
dseago@mail.ci.midland.texas.us
http://www.ci.midland.texas.us/mpd/citizens.htm

Citizens on Patrol Program Description:
Midland Police Department established Citizens on Patrol so citizens can assist in parking enforcement. Now, volunteers can complete eight hours of classroom training on signage, placards and license plates as well as eight hours of field training by riding with a team on patrol. After training, citizens are qualified to give citations; uniforms are issued and volunteers patrol in pairs using a department vehicle marked "Disabled Parking Enforcement." To remain active, volunteers must patrol four hours every month and attend monthly meetings.

Nacogdoches Police Department*

Contact
Officer Greg Sowell
Nacogdoches Police Department
PO Drawer 635030
Nacogdoches, Texas 75961
936-559-2607
936-560-3477 (fax)
sowellg@ci.nacogdoches.texas.us

Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program Description:
The Nacogdoches Volunteer Parking Enforcement program began with a city ordinance. After a four hour training course, volunteers write tickets for unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces. Volunteers patrol at their pleasure, in accordance to state and local law.

Plainview Police Department

Contact
Lieutenant Derrick McPherson
Plainview Police Department
108 West 9th
Plainview, Texas 79072
806-296-1190
806-296-1117 (fax)
DMcPherson@ci.plainview.texas.us

Program Description:
After receiving eight hours of training, volunteers are qualified to issue citations to unqualified vehicles parked in accessible parking spaces. Most volunteers patrol at their pleasure, with issued materials including an identification card and a vest that has "Handicap Enforcement" printed on it.

San Angelo Police Department

Contact
Curtis Milbourn
505 S. Chadbourne
San Angelo, Texas 76903
325-657-4331
curtis.milbourn@sanangelopolice.org
http://sanangelopolice.org/community/alumni.htm

Disabled Parking Patrol Program Description:
After graduating from the Citizen's Police Academy and completing 30 hours of training, volunteers can begin an eight hour training course, and take a city approved Defensive Driving Course to qualify for volunteering on Disabled Parking Patrol. Disabled Parking Patrol training covers traffic code, ordinances and procedures, and courtroom demeanor, some training is also done in the field. To assist in patrol, a digital camera, citation book, a uniform, and a badge are available to each volunteer. Volunteers must travel in pairs and patrol in the program vehicle, and they are asked to give 12 hours per quarter.

San Antonio Police Department*

Contact
Officer Ray Todd, Department Coordinator
Special Projects Officer
San Antonio Police Department
215 South San Saba, Suite 100A
San Antonio, Texas 78207
210-220-7055 (Program)
210-207-8865 (Office)
rtodd@sanantonio.gov
http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/vip.asp

Public Safety Team Program Description:
After the City of San Antonio passed an ordinance, volunteers who are members of the Volunteers in Policing (VIP) program can volunteer on the Public Safety Team, after receiving a total of 44 hours of training. Training includes information on operating procedures, sexual harassment in the work place, and cultural diversity. The Public Safety Team training includes a defensive driving course and information on procedures, laws, and low/high risk scenarios, then volunteers are issued uniforms and badges. While patrolling, volunteers must use the program vehicle and patrol with one other qualified volunteer. Volunteers also give presentations to local organizations and businesses to educate about awareness of the ADA and encourage compliance. Volunteers can also assist in fleet maintenance, directing traffic, enforcing fire lane laws, and conducting ground transportation inspections. This diverse team is required to donate eight hours a month and to attend monthly meetings.

Office of Travis County Constable

Contact
Constable Bruce Elfant
Office of Travis County Constable, Precinct Five
Travis County Courthouse Room 111
1000 Guadalupe, P.O. Box 1748 Austin, Texas 78767
512-854-9100
512-854-4228 (fax)
bruce.elfant@co.travis.texas.us
http://constable5.com/beta/v4/parking.html

Citizen Handicap Parking Enforcement Program Description:
Volunteers can cite unqualified vehicles parked in accessible spaces after four hours of training. Volunteers are issued materials such as manuals, county issued ID badges, and a ticket book; and may patrol at their pleasure.

The Travis County Commissioners Court funded a full time deputy constable for Precinct Five to specifically address the growing problem of people using other people's placards and altered placards to park in handicap parking spaces or at parking meters for free.

Tyler Police Department*

Contact
For information on getting involved:
Pat McGowen, Volunteer Coordinator
Police Department
711 West Ferguson
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-531-1071
903-531-1006 (Fax)
pmcgowen@tylertexas.com

For information on training:
James McCraw
Police Department
711 West Ferguson
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-531-1096

Program Description:
A four-hour course is required by each individual, who must be sworn in by a judge before they can begin patrolling. Volunteers are issued Polaroid cameras, film, and an educational brochure to refer to while giving citations.

*There are local committees on people with disabilities in these areas.

If you would like to start an Education and Monitoring Program on Accessible Parking for Texans with Disabilities, or if you would like for us to update any information posted please

Contact:

Angela English, Accessibility and Disability Rights Coordinator
Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
PO Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
512-463-5740 (voice)
512-463-5746 (TDD) or Dial 7-1-1 for Relay Services
512-463-5745 (fax)
Email: aenglish@governor.state.texas.us
Web-site: http://www.governor.state.texas.us/divisions/disabilities/resources/parking