National Railroad Safety Week was a busy one for Wilton Manors Police Officer David Akers.
During April 18-24, the city's traffic cop issued 12 citations, most of them to drivers stopping on train tracks, says this article.
Most of those cited face a fine of more than $200. But former Wilton Manors Commissioner Diane Cline had her ticket dismissed after Police Chief Richard E. Perez petitioned to have it tossed.
Not only did Perez want the citation thrown out; he evidently had Akers reassigned and placed back on patrol.
The allegations were made by an anonymous individual who took the complaint to the State Attorney's Office. Chief Perez is already under investigation for alleged perjury stemming from a 2007 case involving a friend.
Wilton Manors is also probing whether Perez collected his usual pay when he wasn't working, instead of using accrued vacation time.
As for 77-year-old Cline, now president of the Wilton Manors Historical Society, she shouldn't have recieved a ticket from Akers at all, according to Perez's affidavit.
"Def[endant] is elderly and terminally ill," he wrote.
He also wrote, "Officer issued ticket when the Dept. wanted educational warnings," which may come as a surprise to the individuals going to court because they stopped on the tracks at the same crossing.
