Secretary of State Jesse White announced Jan. 3 the Secretary of State Police issued 166 citations, totaling $71,250 in fines, during a statewide crack down on people who illegally park in disability parking spaces at local malls. The enforcement kicked off on Black Friday, Nov. 23, and continued through the end of December.

Sixty-five people were issued tickets for improper use of a disability parking space or parking in a disability space without a placard or license plate during the holiday season. Ninety-two were cited with misuse of a disability parking placard or using someone else’s placard, and nine people were cited with using a fraudulent placard. One hundred and three placards were confiscated and a total of 8,336 placards were checked.

“I’m pleased with the results of the disability parking enforcement efforts,” said White. “As I’ve said before, our mission is not to give tickets, but to ensure the disability parking spaces are available to those who need them,” White said. “Remember — if you don’t belong there — don’t park there.”