Officers with the Fullerton Police Department had a surprise for drivers stopped for minor violations in the last two weeks.
“The program has been remarkably effective,” department spokeswoman Kristy Wells told The Epoch Times. “Although some recipients initially experienced confusion, they ultimately left with smiles and heartfelt expressions of gratitude.”
Fullerton is about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles in Orange County.
Some drivers shared with officers that they had faced challenging times and the interaction brought “a ray of positivity to their day,” Wells said.
The program concluded on Dec. 24 after the two-week distribution.
“The officers found joy in witnessing the uplifting reactions from the recipients, offering a powerful reminder of the impact kindness can have in our daily lives,” Wells said.
The officers gave out 150 gift cards, which were donated by the Fullerton Police and Community Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds for police activities.
“In the spirit of the holidays, yes we are stopping people, but I’ve been tasked with handing out Starbucks gift cards,” the officer told her.
He handed her the gift card and she appeared stunned.
“Awesome!” she replied.
Another driver was stopped for a lapsed registration.
“In the spirit of the holidays, I just want to thank you for being a loyal resident of the city,” the officer told the driver.
The driver replied with: “I love coffee!”
One driver started to cry and shook the officer’s hand after receiving the card.
On Monday night, a Fullerton resident reached out to the department after seeing the video posted on social media.
Inspired by the program, she donated 10 $10 Target gift cards to distribute, allowing the officers to continue “spreading positive interactions with those passing through Fullerton,” according to Wells.
