NATCHEZ — Following complaints about able-bodied motorists parking in handicapped parking spots, City of Natchez officials say the city is cracking down on illegal parking.

Mayor Darryl Grennell and Chief Daniel White said they have both received complaints about illegal handicapped parking.

To park in a handicapped parking space, a vehicle must have a handicapped parking license plate or placard.

White said officers are routinely driving through parking lots to check for illegal parking for which violators can be written a citation.

A recent violation was brought to the city’s attention after a photograph was posted to Facebook of a city vehicle parked in a handicapped spot at a post office.

Grennell suspended the employee who illegally parked for 20 days without pay.

“Some people thought that was too long, but I thought it was the appropriate thing to do,” he said.

Grennell recently met with police personnel about enforcing handicapped parking, which he said is important to ensure all residents can safely access buildings.

“It upsets me when I hear about someone (illegally) parking in a handicapped spot,” Grennell said. “I have a physically challenged sister, so I know what a person goes through first-hand in terms of being able to access a building.”

Grennell encouraged residents to report handicapped parking violations and available officers will be dispatched to write citations.