The Tempe Police Department in Arizona kicked off its "Positive Ticketing Campaign" in which they announced they would be pulling people over who are obeying all traffic laws and reward them with a Circle-K coupon.
According to the press release sent out by the Tempe PD, the officers were targeting "community members who are safely adhering to traffic laws related to bicycle and pedestrian laws." The department reportedly partnered with Circle-K for the campaign for the second year in a row.
Likely in response to widespread backlash, the police department said they will no longer be pulling people over, rather they will be finding opportunities to engage drivers on traffic laws.
"The idea behind it is to educate citizens from the youngest to the oldest on traffic laws, bicycle laws, things like that," said Greg Bacon, a member of the Tempe Police Department. "We will be having positive conversations with citizens, say an officer happens to stop somewhere and see somebody, and says 'Hey would you mind having a conversation with me?' (to) educate them on bicycle laws and traffic laws," he continued.
Naturally, this practice drew considerable backlash before the Tempe PD said nevermind. See some of the responses below.
