This seems so frivolous, rewarding people who likely have everything that they need. If the police really want to be helpful, why don’t they help vulnerable people, such as the homeless?

posted 12/18/07 at 9:31 am #

are you sure they didn’t see a stray episode of reno 9-1-1? i have a sinking suspicion that CBS 13 wouldn’t be able to tell right off-the-bat. i can see tony lopez running through the newsroom a la Broadcast News screaming, “they’re giving away whoaooooo…!”

posted 12/18/07 at 10:14 am #

I think it’s a great idea and probably helps boost the morale of the officers who, for once, can reward good behavior.

From what I heard on KFBK about this, good drivers aren’t pulled over with lights, etc., they’re somehow motioned over by the officers, since there are obvious legal implications with detaining people who have done nothing wrong.

Lynn, you do bring up a good point that the people being rewarded probably have everything that they need — hopefully the rewardees will feel inspired to do more for others who need help.

The real question remains: Will there be any profiling that comes of this? (If so, this preppy looking gal could go for a peppermint mocha.)

posted 12/18/07 at 10:15 am #

I hate to be a scrooge but I agree with Lynn. There is a certain level of risk, nuisance and stress involved with pulling people over in the middle of traffic and I don’t see why it’s productive to have our over-worked officers spending time doing this. I personally would be annoyed if I was on my way to work and got pulled over for a $5 Starbucks card. But then again I border on cardiac arrest when I see flashing lights behind me. Really, they can’t think of any better community service for use of donated funds?

posted 12/18/07 at 10:16 am #

I agree with HeyMeg. I would be very annoyed if I were on my way to work and got pulled over to basically tell me I’m driving well. Ugh. Plus, a $5 gift card isn’t really worth stopping and chatting with a cop on my way to work.

posted 12/18/07 at 11:05 am #

When I’m drunk I’d MUCH prefer a Taco Bell gift cert. to one from Starbucks. And, suprisingly, I also agree with Lynn- the police could be doing something MUCH more productive, like rousting the “homeless” and sending them on their way to warmer drier climes.

posted 12/18/07 at 11:28 am #

What if they pull over a super careful driver who happens to be transporting a shitload of mary jane from one of them houses, and he freaks out and confesses? Fruit of the poison tree…

posted 12/18/07 at 11:37 am #

Cooldmz has pointed out the problem of this idea. One cannot use the Christmas spirit as probable cause to pull over motorists…

I wonder how that would play out in court? This program won’t last.

posted 12/18/07 at 1:27 pm #

I was thinking about the same thing DMZ! Remember when that crazy guy held up the H.Clinton headquarters recently? They said his only prior brush with the law was leading a crusade against the local police in his town when the police instituted a program of opening unlocked cars and placing flyers in them to warn people to lock their doors. His point was that the police had no business searching cars like that even if for a good cause. Kind of the same situation here - if things are in plain view when an officer pulls a car over it’s going to get tricky, evidence-wise. “Tricky, evidence-wise” is a highly technical legal doctrine but I think that’s how it applies.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:00 pm #

Plain view is plain view. No right to privacy when you are OUT IN PUBLIC, driving around. Put your MJ in the trunk (or otherwise “not in the passenger compartment”) and keep yer yap shut: Spontainious confession (not coerced) is not an evidence problem at all.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:13 pm #

Don’t tell me TS is a lawyer.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:23 pm #

The perp in my hypothetical was indeed transporting said mary jane in the trunk.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:33 pm #

The police opening unlocked cars sounds highly suspicious. They’re probably looking for illegal drugs, weapons or stolen items. If the police want to “help” people by telling them to lock their cars, they can put a flyer under the windshield wiper.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:34 pm #

Nope, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

posted 12/18/07 at 2:46 pm #

Man, who wants to be pulled over for this? Keep your 5 dollars and don’t hassle me. I’m sure the cops who have to hand these cards out aren’t too pleased either. Oh, and don’t be retarded, if you’re hypothetically transporting a shitload of MJ in your trunk, then answer no when the officer hypothetically asks you if he can search your car.

posted 12/18/07 at 3:50 pm #

I was going to tell the officer NO but then I got high… but then I got high, but then I got high.

posted 12/18/07 at 3:56 pm #

If we outlaw all seaches and seizures, then only outlaws will be allowed to search and seize.

posted 12/18/07 at 4:18 pm #

Sac-eats, I think I saw that on a bumper sticker on the back of a VW bus down in Berkeley last weekend.

posted 12/18/07 at 4:21 pm #

I read this story on Sacrag.com and then surfed to another site in my bookmarks.

Autoblog.com

To my chagrin, this story was in that blog as well. Even more hilarious is that the first comment is from a denizen of our very own Rancho Cordova!

Here is the link- http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/18/ca-police-pull-drivers-over-give-them-free-coffee/

Good Show SacRag!

posted 12/19/07 at 2:15 am #

“rewarding” someone for something they should already be doing? seems like a waste to me…of time and money.

posted 12/20/07 at 4:03 pm #