San Fernando Police Didn't Issue Walking Ticket: Wrong Police Force Blamed For 82-Year-Old's Citation

CBS
Apr. 14, 2006

(CBS) SAN FERNANDO, Calif. The San Fernando Police Department would like the rest of the country to know that they did not issue a ticket to an 82-year-old woman for crossing an intersection too slowly.

Police Chief Tony Alba said that the department is currently the victim of mistaken identity.

The department has been deluged with calls and e-mails from throughout the nation complaining about the ticketing incident.

However, the ticket was issued by a Los Angeles Police Department officer, not one from San Fernando.

The incident was reported outside Southern California as having occurred in the San Fernando Valley, prompting some to think the San Fernando Police Department was responsible.

Alba said he's becoming tired of explaining that San Fernando is merely a small part of the San Fernando Valley and his department wasn't involved in the ticketing.

The Los Angeles Police Department has received many inquiries about the ticket, with most going to the Valley Traffic Division, according to Sara Faden of the department's Media Relations Section.

"I'm sure we will address any concerns of the community and a response, if any, will be taken," Faden said.

Mayvis Coyle, was given a ticket at Foothill Boulevard and Woodward Avenue in Sunland on Feb. 15. She insisted she was given the $114 ticket because she could not carry all her groceries across the street in an alloted 12 seconds. The LAPD insists she left the sidewalk well after the light turned in her favor.