The chief of police of a city in central Florida has made the unusual move of giving himself a ticket for a parking violation after a photograph of his car illegally left on a footpath was posted on Facebook and shared widely on the social network.
Melvin Tennyson issued the $45 (€39) parking fine and ticket to himself when an image of his black SUV was posted on Facebook showing the car left illegally on the path near Groveland City Hall.
“Groveland police department is handing out tickets to people who park their vehicles in (their) own driveway if they block the sidewalk,” David Bires posted on his own profile page, before revealing that the police chief’s car in a compromising situation.
“Forty-dollar tickets, but when the chief of police blocks sidewalks it’s ok?” Bires added.
As the post went viral, attracting many comments and shares on social media, Tennyson responded by issuing himself a ticket. The day after the photo of his illegal parking surfaced, he posted a picture of the receipt on his own Facebook, saying he “cannot therefore hold anyone accountable until I hold myself accountable.”
