In conjunction with giving season, some police officers are continuing the tradition of pulling motorists over and surprising them with the Thanksgiving staple in lieu of a traffic ticket.
This year, the Fulton Police Department in Fulton, Illinois is hosting the Operation Turkey Stop program.
The operation began in 2021 as a way for police departments to foster positive working relationships with the local community.
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”“We all know the holidays are a special time of year, but we wanted to reach out to the public and help them enjoy the holidays a little more,” said City of Fulton Police Sergeant Dwayne Hamilton said. He told Fox News Digital in an email.
Police departments in Fulton, Illinois (pictured) and McAllen, Texas, hold annual Thanksgiving events where they hand out turkeys instead of handing out traffic tickets. (Fulton Police Department)
Officers monitor daily traffic violations and then initiate traffic stops. But instead of imposing fines and penalties, drivers will be given a turkey.
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“It usually surprises everyone. Everyone is very grateful and some even said they didn't know how they would eat on the holidays. That makes it even more special and rewarding for us. . It meant we were able to pay it forward,” Hamilton said.
The Fulton Police Department gets its turkeys from a local Hy-Vee grocery store.
Each year, the Fulton Police Department hosts the Operation Turkey Stop program, which issues turkeys in lieu of traffic tickets. (Fulton Police Department)
And Illinois isn't the only state where law enforcement hands out turkeys in lieu of traffic violations.
Last year, the McAllen Police Department in McAllen, Texas, held a Ticket or Turkey event.
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, officers handed out turkeys instead of tickets.
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“Crime Stoppers is a valuable tool for law enforcement, but during the holidays it's a way to show our appreciation to our community. McAllen Crime Stoppers is a fundraiser for anonymous citizens with information and tips. It's a citizen group that does its work on a volunteer basis,” Chief Victor said. Rodriguez said in a press release.
Some police departments are offering turkeys to families who don't have the funds to buy larger birds this year. (Fulton Police Department)
“We want to thank the community for helping provide turkey dinners for families,” Rudy Plasencia said in the release. We have learned that most families will not be able to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal.” Please raise funds. ”
This year, the McAllen Crime Stoppers raised money for 250 families through “modest means” by giving away Turkish food.
“The McAllen Crime Stoppers Thanksgiving Meal Drive is a heartfelt tradition that unites our community in support of those in need,” said Vanessa, McAllen Crime Stoppers Board Chair. Camacho said.
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Other departments across the country have been providing Thanksgiving dinner centerpieces to community members for years.
In 2022, the Jackson, Michigan Police Department handed out free turkeys to hundreds of people. Officers exhausted the bird within an hour, Fox News Digital reported.
The previous year, the Mesa Police Department in Mesa, Arizona, gave turkeys to people they believed had been pulled over for a violation. fox 10 phoenix Reported.
