Drivers Get Gift Cards, Not Tickets In Brick PD's Blue Christmas

BRICK, NJ — Getting pulled over by a police officer during the holiday season could be the most 2020 experience of 2020. But Brick Township Police turned what could have been a bad day into a chance to help.

The department conducted a "Blue Christmas" campaign recently, Sgt. Jim Kelly said. The goal wasn't to issue tickets; it was to help people make sure they were safe on the road.

Police officers stopped people whose brake lights or headlights were out, but instead of writing a summons, they issued a warning and gave the drivers gift cards to Advance Auto Parts to get the lights fixed.

The campaign was conducted by the department's community policing unit in cooperation with the Brick PBA Local 230 and the Advance Auto Parts on Brick Boulevard. They compiled a video of the stops, which ended with smiles of relief as they handed over the gift cards and some holiday candy.

"People often don't know" they have a tail light out, one officer can be heard saying to one driver.

You can watch below.

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