Photo: Twitter / Ava Rash
Whichever side of the fence you’re on, there’s no denying that some good PR for the police is needed right now. One department from Charleston, West Virginia, has the right idea while also helping residents get into the Christmas spirit.
That includes drivers caught in breach of minor traffic laws.
With days to go until Christmas, the Charleston Police Department is showing lenience and generosity towards inattentive or slightly reckless drivers, giving them gift cards instead of the usual ticket. Apparently, the campaign is meant to bring some festive cheer to the community while also rid of the stress associated with the experience of being pulled over.
The gift cards aren’t paid for with taxpayers’ money, ABC St Louis reports. The Fraternal Order of Police bought $500 worth of Chick-fil-A gift cards and donated them to the police for this specific purpose. Each gift car is for $10, which means there will soon be 50 happier drivers on the streets of Charleston in no time.
“Usually people aren't too happy when you pull them over, but to put a smile on someone's face like that, it's a good feeling,” Patrolman Justin Morris tells the same media outlet.
Presumably, only minor infractions will be overlooked, such as stopping late at a stop sign. You can’t go full GTA on a public street and expect a tasty reward from the police. With the surprise gift, the drivers pulled over will also be getting a lengthy explanation of their offense and the consequences it could have in far less fortunate circumstances. A “lecture” if you will, but delivered in a cheerful manner to be in line with the giving spirit of Christmas.
Jokes aside, this isn’t the first time that a PD does something like this, either in a bid to improve their image or as an honest way of strengthening the bond with the community. It never fails to make headlines, though, which is why it’s such a popular (PR) move.
With days to go until Christmas, the Charleston Police Department is showing lenience and generosity towards inattentive or slightly reckless drivers, giving them gift cards instead of the usual ticket. Apparently, the campaign is meant to bring some festive cheer to the community while also rid of the stress associated with the experience of being pulled over.
The gift cards aren’t paid for with taxpayers’ money, ABC St Louis reports. The Fraternal Order of Police bought $500 worth of Chick-fil-A gift cards and donated them to the police for this specific purpose. Each gift car is for $10, which means there will soon be 50 happier drivers on the streets of Charleston in no time.
“Usually people aren't too happy when you pull them over, but to put a smile on someone's face like that, it's a good feeling,” Patrolman Justin Morris tells the same media outlet.
Presumably, only minor infractions will be overlooked, such as stopping late at a stop sign. You can’t go full GTA on a public street and expect a tasty reward from the police. With the surprise gift, the drivers pulled over will also be getting a lengthy explanation of their offense and the consequences it could have in far less fortunate circumstances. A “lecture” if you will, but delivered in a cheerful manner to be in line with the giving spirit of Christmas.
Jokes aside, this isn’t the first time that a PD does something like this, either in a bid to improve their image or as an honest way of strengthening the bond with the community. It never fails to make headlines, though, which is why it’s such a popular (PR) move.
South Charleston PD is pulling people over for traffic violations, but their ticket is a yummy treat! Find out how SCPD is spreading holiday cheer this weekend!„ pic.twitter.com/K6lyS7QQfW
— Ava Rash (@AvaMarieRash) December 17, 2020
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