Holiday Traffic Stops In Shorewood Come With A Turkey, Not A Ticket

SHOREWOOD, IL — A collection of local motorists who were pulled over by Shorewood police officers on Wednesday for minor traffic violations pulled away with a Christmas surprise rather than the ticket perhaps they were expecting.

Thanks to the generosity of Shorewood resident Alan Lake, a retired Air Force colonel, Shorewood police officers introduced Operation Turkey Warning, which offered Christmas dinner and a friendly bit of traffic advice rather than a costly citation.

Lake donated 17 frozen turkeys and 17 $25 gift certificates, which were handed out to motorists who were pulled over for traffic stops on Wednesday. Lake contacted Shorewood Police Chief Phil Arnold and said he wanted to do something good for people for Christmas while doing something to give back to the Shorewood community.

He said that he wanted to pass along a turkey and a gift certificate to folks who were pulled over and allow officers to provide them with good news rather than the stressful experience that often comes along with being stopped by a police officer.

The operation will continue on Thursday, Arnold said, until all the turkeys and gift cards Lake donated have all been distributed. Arnold said that rather than being given a ticket, warnings were issued along with advice on how motorists can avoid being pulled over in the future, which Arnold hopes will change bad driving habits among local motorists.

In one case, one driver who was pulled over on Wednesday told the officer he had been having a bad week and that the last thing he needed was a traffic ticket. Instead, he found himself with dinner for himself and his family, Arnold told Patch on Thursday.

“Drivers have been both surprised and thankful for the thoughtfulness of the holiday spirit,” Arnold said.

"People have been happy to not just get a warning for the infraction, but also the kindness of a turkey."

What wasn’t surprising to Arnold is the generosity that led to Operation Turkey Warning being introduced. Since becoming Shorewood’s police chief a year ago, Arnold said that he has become part of a community that shows its pride as a village by helping other residents out and is always on the lookout for ways to be a good neighbor.

“That’s just how the community is,” Arnold said. “It’s a great community.”