well heck. some great pr Santa Claus is doing traffic stops now. A police department in mid Michigan started the holiday season early by pulling over a bunch of residents in their downtown for minor infractions. But instead of issuing summonses, the officers interrogated the motorists about their Christmas shopping lists -- and then provided them with the gifts. The whole event is presented in an online video featuring the people and officers of Lowell, Mich., in November. Rob Bliss, a producer of online viral videos whose family lives in the suburb of Grand Rapids, pitched the idea to the department. The project was made in conjunction with Up TVs Uplift Someone campaign, which paid for all the gifts. The director told the Daily News that the officers would stop someone for a minor infraction such as a nonworking headlight, tinted windows or driving through a yellow light. While stopped, the officer was tasked with chatting up the driver and asking what they wanted for the holidays. Little did they know the officer had a microphone on and that a crew from the network was down the road at a department store. They would hurriedly grab the item and rush it to the vehicle. Over two days, Up TVs campaign spent between $8,000 and $10,000 on presents like Legos, TVs and a hatchet for a very outdoorsy 6-year-old, Bliss said. The people seemed friendly in the video even though they thought they were getting a ticket for a small violation. The officers worked extra hard to appear gregarious and it was always reciprocated from the members of the friendly town, Bliss said. When the gifts arrived, the people were obviously shocked. One woman asked if she could hug the officer and the two embraced. So am I getting a, Im not getting a ticket right? she asked. A police department in Michigan gave gifts to people they stopped for minor traffic violations.A police department in Michigan gave gifts to people they stopped for minor traffic violations.PreviousNextA police department in Michigan gave gifts to people they stopped for minor traffic violations. After stopping motorists, cops in Michigan asked them what was on their shopping list. Those who stuck around were rewarded with the presents - and no traffic ticket. A television crew was stationed at a department store ready to buy a gift and deliver it to the scene. Police chief Steven Bukala says he is a big proponent of community policing and reaching out to people in the small Michigan town. I can give you one if you want, he teased. Some people were not as patient and asked if they could leave. The officers obliged, but they missed out on the gifts. Bliss said one person was moments away from receiving new laptops for the impatient persons kids. Lowell police Chief Steven Bukala told The News the stops were for violations they normally would not enforce. Speeders and reckless drivers remained on the naughty list. I did not want to reward bad behavior, he said, adding the department also checked the drivers license and registration. I did not want to reward bad behavior. Of the 50 people stopped, about 30 of them stayed around long enough to get their presents, he said. Bukala, a Lowell officer for 19 years and chief for the past 13 months, said he was excited about the project because he’s a big proponent of community policing and helping people in his jurisdiction...
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 16:09:43 +0000
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