TORONTO

Too many people are abusing Accessible Parking Permits, according to a Toronto Police Services Board report.

The report, which was given to the board on Thursday, pointed out 16,104 parking tickets were issued in 2016 related to APP abuse – a 25% increase from the prior year.

Police board member Chin Lee said he wanted the board to look closer into the problem after receiving scores of complaints of parking fraud.

The three recommendations in the report are provincial, not municipal issues.

The report suggested getting a second doctor’s opinion be required before issuing such permits to boost the integrity of the program.

Also, temporary permits would be required to be returned to Service Ontario so they can’t continued to be used or circulated, said the report.

There is also a recommendation to have a photo and the name of the permit holder on the reverse side of the pass.

“(Traffic Services) never inquires why a person needs a permit. but just checks that the permit the person is issued to is in the car,” said Staff-Sgt. Nicole Lee.

Most people have heard someone brag about using an expired pass or someone else’s AAP, said Mayor John Tory.

“We need the Government of Ontario to conduct a complete review...to be shared with all police boards,” Tory said. “This creates a culture of cheating.”

kconnor@postmedia.com