GENESEE COUNTY (WWJ) - Those on Santa's "nice list" got a special surprise while out of the roadways on Tuesday, courtesy of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Chris Swanson and deputies were be out and about conducting legal traffic stops and rewarding drivers for their good behavior.
"Instead of issuing tickets they will be giving $200 dollars Kroger gift cards to the 'offender,'" the sheriff's office said in an announcement Tuesday morning.
"Operation Random Cheer" began at 11 a.m. across the county.
"Multiple traffic stops were conducted for minor traffic infractions, instead of a traffic ticket, everyone received a warning and Kroger gift card," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
The donations were made possible by Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities – a Dearborn nonprofit that has been doing similar events for decades. This year, LAHC donated about $12,000. Tuesday alone, Kroger and LAHC were able to give away $6,000 in Kroger gift cards to drivers.
Rachel Hurst, the head of Midwest regions for Kroger corporate offices, tells WWJ’s Alexis Ware teaming up with LAHC was a no-brainer.
“I like to call it the backpack theory. You never know how many bricks are hanging in someone’s backpack, how heavy the weight is on their shoulders. And it’s our job to be able to take that weight off their shoulders,” Hurst said.
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