Mayor gets traffic citation...that gets posted online

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's Toyota Prius, which he was driving when he was cited for failure to signal on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012.

/ CBS San Francisco

(CBS/AP) SAN JOSE, Calif. - A few days ago the mayor of San Jose, Chuck Reed, was given a traffic citation for failing to signal. Then, a police officer snapped a photo of the mayor's traffic citation.

And then, said photo of the mayor's traffic citation wound up posted online - you know, on one of those social media websites.

Mayor Reed probably isn't too happy - and, oh, neither is the chief of police.

Chief Chris Moore said Wednesday he's launching an internal investigation into who in his department leaked the picture. In a department memo, Moore issued a stern warning that such conduct violates department policy.

The San Jose Mercury News says Reed was driving his blue Toyota Prius to City Hall Tuesday morning when he was pulled over for allegedly failing to signal a turn.

According to CBS San Francisco, the mayor is facing a $35 fine or traffic school.

Reed told the station traffic violators should get tickets, no matter who they are. "That's the way it works, that's the way it should be," the mayor said.

Maybe it's just a coincidence, but Mayor Reed was already been at odds with the San Jose Police Officers' Association and other unions. In June voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to cut back the pensions of San Jose city workers, including cops.

The police union is suing to block it from taking effect.

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