Funeral homes, police discuss cameras and processions

Published 9:42 pm Friday, July 22, 2016

Some changes have been made to help reduce the chances of red light camera tickets during funeral processions.

Funeral homes will now notify the Selma Police Department of funeral processions in advance to help officers who monitor the cameras.

“We had a meeting with the funeral home directors, and we all agreed that’s what we are going to do,” said Police Chief John Brock. “Hopefully, this will solve the problem.”

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Brock said although there is still always the chance of human error, he hopes this will better prepare officers so there are less tickets issued for those participating in a procession.

The traffic cameras run 24/7. When a person runs the light, the camera takes a photograph.

“It can’t tell if there’s a funeral or not,” Brock said in June after a family complained of multiple traffic violations issued while traveling in a funeral procession. “All the camera knows is that there is somebody running the lights.”

Officers who monitor the cameras can a lot of times tell when a funeral procession is going through an intersection, Brock said in a previous report, and the officer will dismiss any citation issued before it is sent out. He also said the intersection at Bell Road and Highland Avenue is one of the most notorious spots for this issue.

Brock hopes this new system will better prepare officers who are reviewing the cameras so human error is reduced.

Should anyone in a funeral procession get issued a traffic violation, Brock said to notify the funeral home that directed the funeral service.

Brock said other than the funeral home notifying police headquarters before the procession, not much has changed with the process.

Off-duty officers will now lead processions for a flat rate of $100, Brock said.