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| Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard |
September 8, 2012 11:41 AM ET
Rochester, New York Police Chief James Sheppard can't remember where he was going on Thursday July 19, 2012 at 2:21 pm when he was captured on a City of Rochester, N.Y. red light camera breaking the law by running a red light on a non-emergency call.
Sheppard's violation is one of 119 red light violations committed by City of Rochester employees, while driving city vehicles over the past 18 months.
One-third of those violations were committed by members of the Rochester Police department.
We're not talking about emergency calls where police cruisers are going through intersections with lights and sirens on.
We're talking about Rochester Police officers, including Chief James Sheppard himself, putting innocent people in danger by running red lights, and as a result, breaking the law.
The City of Rochester, N.Y. launched its photo enforcement program in October 2010, and today has cameras at 29 intersections.
Violators receive a $50 fine, which can escalate to $75 if not paid.
In an April 18, 2012 Rochester News10NBC story titled "Rochester Raking In Red Light Revenue", Rochester, N.Y. Mayor Thomas Richards and city officials said they're making three times the amount the city originally expected, saying the city had so far collected more than $2 million in fines.
Last week, the city warned vehicle owners with delinquent tickets that it planned to begin filing judgments come Monday and begin the collections process.
The city issues about 9,000 violations per month.
But, unlike the average citizen, Rochester, N.Y. City employees, including Chief Sheppard, can not be disciplined for violations, "payment of the related fine will not be required," according to a newly adopted city of Rochester procedure for handling the violations.
Rochester, N.Y. Deputy Mayor Leonard Redon said "It's definitely concerning that this many city vehicles are, in one way or another, in violation of the law around red lights, this number is higher than any of us would have liked."
In addition to at least 39 Rochester Police officers who were caught on the city's red light cameras breaking the law, there were also other city employees such as solid waste drivers, and animal control officers, which are part of the Rochester, NY Police department.
The record of city vehicles with violations picks up in March 2011.
There were eight animal services vehicles captured on red light camera violations — all in a span of nine weeks this spring.
In 2012, Rochester animal control vehicle AC7 was ticketed three times, and animal control vehicle AC4 was ticketed four times.
A Rochester solid waste vehicle was ticketed four times as well in 2012.
There also was a stretch in April when city employees recorded 24 violations in 27 days.
As you can see in the link I have posted below, Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard has a history of breaking the law when it comes to his City of Rochester issued black Chevy Impala.
In the video, which I recorded several months ago, Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard parked his Impala, NY plate number FDP7080 illegally less than 5 feet away from a fire hydrant in a "No Parking" Zone.
Click the link below to see video of Rochester, NY Police Chief James Sheppard parked illegally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKzmupReVqA&list=UU1rjDDgM9_SQp0qS6dcx9Uw&index=10&feature=plcp
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