Caught On Tape: L.A. Lakers Center Andrew Bynum Practices Handicapped Parking While Off-Court

Bynum loads groceries into his BMW while parked in two disabled spots. NBC4.

Disabled patrons of Bristol Farms Market in Playa del Rey recently encountered inadequate parking availability thanks to the alleged audacity of L.A. Lakers center Andrew Bynum.

Caught on camera by an LA Parking Enforcement official, Bynum is shown parking his black Bimmer in two marked handicapped parking spaces, according to NBC4. Photographs expose the pro athlete loading groceries into his car and driving away, finally opening both spots for the appropriate customers.

Perhaps that right knee was plaguing him, or maybe fame and fortune have gone to his head, swallowing any sense of common decency.

Regardless, the Lakers center is now the center of a parking violation investigation.

When questioned by NBC4, Byum reportedly slammed his car door and drove away without comment.

With an annual salary topping $14 million, the $353 ticket, should he be cited, certainly won't break Bynum's wallet. But it is now apparent that the 23-year-old basketball star requires a boost in maturity along with an image revamp.

“It’s a terrible image and perception when something like this happens,” said DMV Deputy Chief Vito Scattaglia, after NBC4 showed him the pictures.

Apparently this scenario is becoming progressively common in L.A., as numerous businesspeople have been caught on videotape using disabled placards and spots.

“There is an increase in the violations we’re encountering, and the citations we’re issuing,” Scattaglia said.

Parking in the sprawl can undoubtedly cause headache, but let's keep it classy, L.A. If without proper placard or license plate, park in designated spots and walk those extra steps. This should be especially effortless if you're an early-twenties NBA star.

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By Lauren Lloyd in News on July 19, 2011 12:40 PM

Comments [rss]

john seoung

i see way too many people doing the same thing. I do not know why in hell they are so concern about his. If they are saying that this 23 years old guy has alot of maturing to do....man i wonder where that put the rest of the US at......

6wheeldmoma

If 10 people rob a bank, does that make it ok for everyone else to do it also? Your statement is as stupid as this lowlife who took up 2 parking spaces for someone who actually needs them! I'd GLADLY give up my disability and wheelchair to anyone who wants to park in the HC spaces...hopefully one day people will "get it"....we don't use the spaces becuase we want to, we use them so we don't get hit in the parking lot in our wheelchairs, or so our legs don't give out. Yeah some do abuse them and shame on them as well!

BoogerFree

What a low life.

stevecross777

Well - talk about making something out of nothing. Here is what it looks like happened:

1) Bynum gets groceries.
2) Pulls car up to load - is partially in a handicapped spot.
3) Loads car and leaves.

At no time did he leave the car in the spot unattended - the top is down. There is no one waiting for the spot - if there was he would have left.

There is no story here.

6wheeldmoma

YOU are as much an idiot as the low life athlete who parked there!!! It doesn't matter if he/you were there for 10 seconds- he isn't entitled to park there! I'd GLADLY give up my wheelchair so he CAN park there tho...it's idiots like him and everyone else who park where they're not suppose to that make us have to fight for everything we have to all the time- why should we be denied access to the same things as able bodied people do, just because he/you are to damn lazy to walk an extra 10 feet! UGH!

EmmaWK

Tsk tsk, Andrew.

Redesu

JFM: You sound like a hateful and small minded jerk -- even more pathetic than Bynum. "Ghetto?" What does that have to do with anything other than your projection of racism into a selfish incident, which by the way occurs daily with selfish people.

Jamees Ferbonkia Mcgrath

surprised? this is an undereducated ghetto dumb athlete. he lives in a
city that ghetto scum riot after a laker win and where you get beat up
at a dodger game. with the video, he should serve time for blatant
ghetto stupidity. look at his face, does he know how to tie his shoes,
good job lakers.

EmmaWK

wooowwwww really?

jrb

JFM, I have to agree with Redesu. All you have to do is replace the word "ghetto" with a different word to see what you are REALLY trying to say.

Redesu

FM: You sound like a hateful and small minded jerk -- even more pathetic than Bynum. "Ghetto?" What does that have to do with anything other than your projection of racism into a selfish incident, which by the way occurs daily with selfish people.