No, That Cop Does Not Want To Give You A Ticket--Just A Holiday Gift
Surprise! The police have a gift for you
Posted: Dec 16, 2011
Drivers in Prosper, TX may not need to suffer that sinking feeling when a cop approaches their car: the North Texas police department has been doling out $10 gift cards this week to recognize good driving, NBC-DFW reports.
It's a classic carrot or stick scenario: the police department has chosen to reward drivers for proper seat belt use or observation of the speed limit, instead of just punishing drivers for transgressions. The police officers on foot have infiltrated school parking lots or other pick-up/drop-off zones where they can safely communicate with cars that are moving at slow speeds.
Officers have made haste to convey their benevolent purpose so as not to startle drivers or cause any unnecessary distress.
"We wanted to give back to the community to reinforce those safe driving habits," Prosper assistant police chief Gary McHone told AOL Autos.
It's also good PR and outreach for the police department, which can get a bad rap as a punishment-only organization waiting for us in speed-traps.
"The officer is just letting the drivers know they did a good job and here is a small token of thanks," McHone said. "It allows for a face-to-face with local residents."
During pre-holiday time from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16, the police department wanted to take the opportunity to give back to the community and funded the 60 American Bank of Texas check cards through its contribution fund and money raised at community events.
Even during the economic recession where local municipalities are cash-strapped, the Prosper PD saw value in this new program.
"The old adage of 'protecting and serving'--it's a highly used phrase, but this is an opportunity for us to put a different twist to the 'serving' part of it," McHone said.
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WilliamL
Please explain how "Keeping current tags and registration" has ANYTHING to do with safe driving.
December 19 2011 at 11:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat's a bunch of BS. Cops aren't humans. They're cops.
December 17 2011 at 12:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat is not how the families of COPs feel when they go into harms way for people that they don't even know.
December 18 2011 at 10:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThese are the acts of conservatives.
December 17 2011 at 10:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Richard W
Sweet.....Nice gesture
December 17 2011 at 7:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJust remember when seconds count ....cops are only minutes away. Unfortunately in this country police have become primarily revenue collectors. Most large county or city police forces are rarely bothered with helping someone if there is little chance for the municipality to make money in fines or fees. Department of Highway Safety studies show faster drivers are by far the safer and more alert , but you can't make any money by allowing this truth to grow. Then of course the insurance companies jump in on the scam too!!
Most traffic enforcement units are just tax collectors with badges.
That is why we need a seperate, right-wing, para-military force that patrols the streets protecting us and keeping us safe. The police can then concentrate on revenue collection.
December 17 2011 at 10:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWow thats different lol!! Thats kinda scary when they pull you over, why don't they just send them to you when they look up your record lol.
December 17 2011 at 7:09 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyBecause they can't look in your car for drugs, if they send them too you
December 17 2011 at 8:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyJust don't have any drugs....
December 17 2011 at 10:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate downLet me guess --- all the gift recipients were hot young white women with big breasts?
December 17 2011 at 7:02 AM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyDo you think there will be more or less tickets and arrests with this? Because they will be handing out gifts rather than tickets there will be less right? Wrong. It is a snaky way to pull over anybody they want without cause. Only an idiot would not think that this will result in more tickets and arrests than they would normally have. That is the plan. They are banking that each $10 'gift' has the potential to bring in 100's of times the cost of the gift in fines, or make a high5 arrest for them. And you cannot stop them from doing it cause they are not pulling you over for a violation or cause... are they? None the less, you ARE going to get pulled over for nothing now.. aren't you?
December 17 2011 at 6:56 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyWhat is "snaky."
December 17 2011 at 10:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyActually I was surprised when the spell checker didn't correct me.
snaky [ˈsneɪkɪ]
adj snakier, snakiest
1. of or like a snake; sinuous
2. treacherous or insidious
Here's your coupon for great driving, Sir...
+
hey, have you been drinking today?
=
$10,000 and a new customer!
You all think this is a wonderful gesture? Well let me tell you the police are wanting the lemings of the American society to think so. This will alllow there lobbyists to get stronger in Washington D.C. and give the police more power. I don't know about where you all live, but in our county the police and fire budget for the entirre fiscal year makes up over half of the counties budget. Something has got to give, especially in this time and age. Remember what they say the difference between a cop and a criminal is....The color of the uniform.
December 17 2011 at 6:35 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyModel Spotlight
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