(CBS DETROIT) – The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office handed out something other than tickets on Wednesday.
Sheriff Raphael Washington and his deputies turned traffic stops into Santa Claus stops Wednesday by handing out $250 Kroger gift cards to drivers.
“I’m thinking, why is he holding me back?” said Reggie, a driver stopped by officers for a gift card.
For Patricia Davis, who was arrested and given a gift card, the extra money means a lot.
“I’m broke today. This is it here. I was putting things away at Whole Foods, but I needed some groceries, but this is helping me a lot, and I really appreciate it. I’m so shocked,” Davis said.
The gift card giveaway is a partnership between the sheriff’s office, Kroger and the organization Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities. Washington said this is a fun opportunity to connect with the community.
“We are not just about locking up and arresting people, but at the same time we are trying to bless people and give them the kind of Christmas holiday they deserve when they may be less fortunate than others. ” he said.
Wayne County Sheriff’s Cpl. Mike Noe, who was deciding which cars to stop on Wednesday, said he was looking for families and older cars to stop. This is his second year participating in the program. He said it feels good to patrol this way.
“It makes you feel good because… sometimes they think it’s going to be a bad outcome when you’re dealing with the police, but it’s nice to give them a good outcome and you feel better and you know that it makes us feel better about people who don’t think we’re going to give them a card every day,” said Noe
