Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!wtm
From: 34AEJ7D@CMUVM.BITNET (Bill Gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Personal Security
Message-ID: <16339@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 10 Dec 90 03:44:17 GMT
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Reply-To: 34AEJ7D@CMUVM.BITNET (Bill Gorman)
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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