Arizona police thought they were doing Tempe residents a favor when they kicked off a “positive ticketing campaign,” but some people say they are upset at the initiative with some accusing it of being illegal.
Tempe Police announced “Mosy,” the campaign to pull over cars that were following bicycle and pedestrian laws and reward them a free drink from Circle K convenience stores.
“This morning on #TodayinAZ, we want to hear what you think about a new strategy being implemented by Tempe Police. They’re “ticketing” drivers for following the rules of the road… By giving them coupons. Would you want a reward for good driving? Or are cops wasting their time?” Paul Gerke, anchor of Today in Arizona, tweeted.
This morning on #TodayinAZ, we want to hear what you think about a new strategy being implemented by Tempe Police. They’re “ticketing” drivers for following the rules of the road… By giving them coupons. Would you want a reward for good driving? Or are cops wasting their time? pic.twitter.com/snUoJ3fWTb
— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) July 29, 2019
Tempe Chief of Police Sylvia Moir responded to Gerke telling him the campaign followed the goals of the Tempe Police Department in regards to traffic safety.
“Hey @PaulGerke – traffic safety follows the 4 E’s- Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation. This campaign is one of those… you guess – you got this!”
Hey @PaulGerke – traffic safety follows the 4 E’s- Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation. This campaign is one of those… you guess – you got this! https://t.co/5oxprsWMsO
— Sylvia Moir (@ChiefMoir) July 29, 2019
Reactions online from the news ranged from “this sucks” to this “is illegal.”
That seems a tad passive aggressive!
— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) July 29, 2019
It is illegal for the police to stop you for driving legally. https://t.co/kB4lrOe5im
— Brad Heath (@bradheath) July 29, 2019
This sucks
— A Flock of Seagals (@ASegals) July 29, 2019
Dumb. Ppl are busy. Getting pulled over because you’ve done nothing wrong is not going to go over very well.
The one time I was ever pulled over I nearly wrecked from the police cars sirens.
I don’t need a coupon for “Circle K” drink or want one.
— JUST LIZ (@ehahn5_shirk) July 29, 2019
The reward I want from police for driving well is for them to leave me the fuck alone.
— Gary Alexander (@grylxndr) July 29, 2019
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the Tempe Police for comment on the story.
This is not the first time the Tempe Police have ran the initiative having partnered on a similar project with Circle K in 2018.
Who says tickets are bad…Tempe Police in partnership with @CircleKStores are joining forces to bring you #PositiveTicketing which will get you a #free Hot Chocolate, Coffee or a Froster for a good deed. pic.twitter.com/VyIbKiclDN
— Tempe Police (@TempePolice) December 20, 2018
Earlier this month, Starbucks was forced to apologize to Tempe Police after six officers were asked by a barista to leave a store because a customer felt unsafe.
The Tempe Officers Association called the incident “offensive” and said the treatment was “disheartening.”
UPDATE: The Tempe Police Twitter account clarified Monday afternoon that “the purpose of the event is to positively engage with the public regarding laws pertaining to bicyclist, scooter and pedestrian safety. During this campaign, @TempePolice will not be proactively stopping vehicles, bicycles, scooters or pedestrians.”
