CBS12 News Team

Juno Beach police getting free ride through red lights?

JUNO BEACH, Fla. -- CBS 12 uncovers internal memos in Juno Beach showing police officers are getting special privileges to blow through the red lights, even if they're not on their way to a call.

The controversial red light cameras in Juno Beach don't discriminate. Whether you drive a Mercedes, Rolls Royce, a Beatle, or a UPS truck, you're getting a $158 ticket if you run the red light. But CBS 12 uncovered an exception to that rule. If you're behind the wheel of a police car the ticket is thrown out. No questions asked.

"That's ridiculous. If we have to pay it, they have to pay it. Why should there be a difference."

"I support them 100 percent. If they're going to a call let them go. That red light shouldn't stop them."

But with a pubic records request, CBS 12 uncovered the special treatment includes police officers who aren't even on calls. According to internal town memos..."all emergency vehicles...regardless if lights are on or not...Please reject - per Police."

"I don't think that's fair. But I know police take care of their own."

"If the traffic is light, all clear and not a whole lot of traffic, they'll roll right through the light. That's what we've been doing for years and years and years," said John Kazanjian.

But now the cameras are watching.

John Kazanjian with the Palm Beach County PBA says in most cases officers are on their way to a call. He says, even if they're off duty driving home, they're still working.

"A lot of officers, they have the take home cars and they are listening to the radio," said Kazanjian.

We wanted to know, how many police officers have been let off the hook since the cameras went active in 2010. The police chief says they don't keep track of that.

Still some drivers say police deserve this break because they put their lives on the line everyday.

"Tough on your family.. tough on you.. And touch on some stupid person who think you ought to pay because you went through the red light."

The city of West Palm Beach also has red light cameras and a spokesperson there says if police officers run red lights in that city they're getting the ticket. The only way out of it is if the officer can prove they were on a call.

Wednesday, May 2 2012, 11:34 PM EDT

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