34AEJ7D@CMUVM.BITNET (Bill Gorman) (12/10/90)
Index Number: 12420 Recent posts have commented upon the potential problems of persons displaying disABLED parking tags/plates/stickers being targeted for crime. This is one of the primary reasons a number of us do not use, or even apply for, these permits. I do not know if anyone on this echo realizes it or not, but the fact that you have such a permit (and thus are disABLED) is PUBLIC INFORMATION in most areas. The DMV in nearly every state sells lists of those with driver's licenses, car/boat/trailer registrations, etc., etc., to anyone who wants them. Thus it is not particularly difficult for an enterprising criminal to purchase such a tape from a state DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) and have a ready-made list of potentially easy victims. In most states, information regarding a disABLED parking permit is NOT considered confidential medical information, but simply part of your driver's license/vehicle registration. IMHO, this is another Bad Thing for the disABLED community. W. K. (Bill) Gorman