Filed under: Etc., Police/Emergency
CA police pull drivers over, give them free coffee

If you find yourself being pulled over in Rancho Cordova for no apparent reason, don't worry. Police in the California town are currently rewarding good drivers by pulling them over and giving them $5 gift cards to Starbucks (that's good for a thimble-full of Frappuccino). According to a police department spokesperson, the program is in keeping with the holiday spirit and fosters goodwill between motorists and the traffic division. (At least until the latter runs out of presents and starts doling out tickets again.) Drivers have local merchants to thank, as they donated the cash for the coffee cards. Free donut coupons would be the perfect compliment to this, but if any exist, we've got to believe the fuzz hung onto them for, you know, safekeeping.
[Source: AP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
djSyndrome 5:06PM (12/18/2007)
I live in Rancho Cordova, and the last time the RCPD pulled me over, it was to ticket me and impound my car for expired tags. And when I say 'expired', I mean 'less than thirty days overdue'. Glad to hear they've found something better to do [/sarcasm]
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music1035 8:56PM (12/21/2007)
Come on!.....ur ticked off because the cops impound ur car and cite you 4 expired tags that were 30 days old when u had about 2-3 months advance notice from the dmv that ur registration is due? typical h8ter because u got caught upto. you were just lucky for 30 days. time's up.
Conky 11:35PM (12/21/2007)
DJsyndrome...they don't IMPOUND your car for having expired tags for 30 days...they have to be 6 months expired before they can tow it...unless of course, you were driving on a suspended license in which case...ur ride is going to the tow yard and you get a CITE...hmmm nice try though. Maybe try a little honesty, instead of bashing the police for your lack of responsibility.
Elaine 3:45PM (12/22/2007)
I agree with you. This is just a police scam to check a person's driver's license and run a warrant check on people.
Wolf Lady 11:59PM (12/21/2007)
Ok, Once again, only in California can the police find another way to waste tax dollars. Are there any normal people living there anymore? Does anyone really care if the police think your driving well? Personally I think that the California Police Department needs a serious lesson on exactly what the Police are Supposed to be doing.
brad 2:04AM (12/22/2007)
your the reason that cops exsist in the first place.
brad 2:05AM (12/22/2007)
looser
marty 5:33PM (12/25/2007)
State law says your vehicle can't be impounded unless your registration was expired 6 months or more. There must have been some other reason.
JOEL 1:16PM (12/28/2007)
30 days overdue , hope yopu are not crying foul the last time I tried to catch a plane one minute late , the gates were close and the plane was pulling away . you mustbe one of those that think come late to work is OK ...
JOEL 1:15PM (12/28/2007)
IT'S NOT TAX PAYER DOLLAR AND IF YOU ARE SO AFRAID OF THE COPS CHECKING FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANT AND THE LIKE YOU MIGHT APPRECIATE WHEN THEY RESPOND TO YOUR CALL FOR EMERGENCY. OH BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY YOU DO NOT OWN ANYTHING THEREFORE COPS ARE BAD FOR YOU
dpb! 5:08PM (12/18/2007)
I totally respect the law and always take my tickets with a smile, b/c they are just doing their job, but I would be kinda annoyed to be pulled over just to be told I am driving well. Maybe mail a letter with the gift card?
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henrykrinkle 5:12PM (12/18/2007)
Great, so I'm running a little late for work or an appointment but I'll just make it without having to break any traffic laws. I get pulled over and now I'm pissed for three reasons: 1) I'm being pulled over 2) This time I really didn't do anything wrong, and 3) Now I will definitely be late. Is this even legal?
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brad 2:03AM (12/22/2007)
typical scrooge attitude.
brad 2:04AM (12/22/2007)
typical scrooge attitude.
zach 5:24PM (12/18/2007)
I can appreciate the good intentions behind the program, but i imagine i'd be pretty annoyed to be pulled over for no reason.
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VP 5:34PM (12/18/2007)
What exactly makes a good driver? Observing the 55 MPH speed limit in the left lane? Blocking the flow of traffic? I digress.
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Bert 5:39PM (12/18/2007)
This is going over as well as the WKRP turkey give-away!
iSpec 5:37PM (12/18/2007)
Pull-over, ensuing car chase, collision, deaths, etc. All over a $5 Starbucks gift card. Litigation waiting to happen. Call the ACLU. Anything can happen in California.
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Cameron 5:40PM (12/18/2007)
Good point. Makes me think about that statistic about most major felons get caught because of minor traffic violations like burnt out headlights and not using turn signals. Lawsuit waiting to happen.
brad 2:04AM (12/22/2007)
The ACLU is nothing but a bunch of criminals looking for any excuse to get press time. Don't hear them crying foul when a black cop does something wrong.