December was "awesome" as Accessible Parking Awareness month in Fort St. John, said the organizer.
"The accessible parking campaign was a huge success, it took on a life of its own that I don't think any of us thought it would," said Lori Slater, chair of the Mayor's Disability Advisory Committee.
"We have had resounding support from the community, I have had numerous phone calls and emails congratulating us on it."
The campaign aimed to reduce the frequency of able-bodied drivers using accessible parking spaces, those designated for people with disabilities.
Small placards left on the windshield of cars parked in an accessible space without a permit are part of the program. They are intended as a gentle reminder to the driver that their actions did not go unnoticed.
City bylaw enforcement officer Kris Josefsson said he saw a decrease in violations last month.
He said a couple of things could have contributed to the reduction.
"Over the summer we did paint all of the zones blue to help identify the spots better, but the campaign seemed to help too."
The placards are being used, Josefsson said.
"I have ticketed people with the placards on their cars as well."
Slater is pleased with the results so far.
"We were hopeful that it was going to be a success, but it has been that and more," she said.
"It has just been awesome."
Slater said she received far more response than she anticipated.
"The way I am measuring it right now, is by the number of phone calls I have received, and the support that we have," she said. "The majority of the calls and emails I have had are from able-bodied people and from business people looking for information."
She said she hopes the momentum will continue and has an idea for drivers who get one of the placard reminders on their windshield.
"One of things that I am suggesting to people that have received one of those placards, if you get one, reuse it. Hang onto it and if you see somebody parked in a spot without a permit, pay it forward."
Slater said she is thrilled as how this campaign has turned out.
"It is the able-bodied community that has really come out and supported us and that is great because we need that. I just want to thank those people and the community for their support."
