Disabled parking placard isn’t free pass to park anywhere

Dear Street Smarts, Q: Where in Santa Cruz can you park if you have a handicap placard? Maryanna McSwain via email A: "A person with a placard can park anywhere except in 'No Parking' areas and 'Loading' zones, commercial -- yellow zones -- or passenger -- white zones," said Marlin Granlund, head of the city's parking office. "The only free parking for disabled motorists is at on-street parking meters."