Police hand out Thanksgiving turkeys instead of traffic tickets to offenders on the road
Keeping with the giving season, some cops proceed a convention pulling over drivers and handing them a shock Thanksgiving meals staple in lieu of a traffic ticket.
This yr, the Fulton Police Department in Fulton, Illinois, is internet hosting its Operation Turkey Stop program.
The operation started in 2021 as a approach for the police division to foster a great working relationship with the group.
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“We all know that the holidays are a particular time of the yr, and we wished to give you the option to attain out to the public and take a look at to assist them take pleasure in the holidays just a bit bit extra,” Sgt. Dwayne Hamilton of the Fulton Police Department instructed Fox News Digital by way of e mail.
Police departments in Fulton, Illinois, (pictured right here), and McAllen, Texas, host annual Thanksgiving occasions giving out turkeys instead of handing out traffic tickets. (The Fulton Police Department)
Officers are on the lookout for on a regular basis traffic violations, then provoke traffic stops. But instead of issuing fines or punishments, drivers are given a turkey.
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“It usually takes everyone by surprise. Everyone has been very grateful, and there are some who even stated that they weren’t sure how they were going to have food for the holidays, which makes that even more special and rewarding for us, knowing that we were able to pay it forward,” mentioned Hamilton.
The Fulton Police Department will get its turkeys from the native Hy-Vee grocery retailer.
The Fulton Police Department hosts its annual Operation Turkey Stop program, issuing turkeys instead of traffic violation tickets. (The Fulton Police Department)
And Illinois is not the solely state the place legislation enforcement passes out turkeys in lieu of traffic violations.
Last yr, the McAllen Police Department in McAllen, Texas, hosted its Ticket or Turkey occasion.
On the Wednesday earlier than Thanksgiving, officers handed out turkeys instead of tickets.
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“Crime Stoppers is a valued tool for the police department but, during the holidays, it’s about showing our thanks to our community. McAllen Crime Stoppers is a citizen group that volunteers to raise funds to pay citizens for information or tips anonymously,” Chief Victor Rodriguez mentioned in a press launch.
Some police stations present turkeys to households who shouldn’t have the sources to buy large birds this yr. (The Fulton Police Department)
In the launch, Rudy Placencia added, “We would like to thank our community for helping us provide a turkey dinner for families. We have learned throughout the year most of these families would not enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal if McAllen Crime Stoppers didn’t raise funds.”
This yr, the McAllen Crime Stoppers Board raised cash for 250 households with “modest means” for its Turkey Meal Giveaway.
“The McAllen Crime Stoppers Thanksgiving Meal Drive is a heartfelt tradition that brings our community together to support those in need,” mentioned Vanessa Camacho, McAllen Crime Stoppers board president.
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Other departments round the nation have been offering the Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece for group members over the years.
In 2022, the Jackson Police Department in Michigan handed out free turkeys to a whole lot of individuals. The officers ran out of birds in underneath an hour, Fox News Digital reported.
The yr earlier than that, the Mesa Police Department in Mesa, Arizona, gave turkeys to individuals who thought they have been being pulled over for a violation, Fox 10 Pheonix reported.
