Tewksbury PD Hands Out Gift Cards Instead Of Citations

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury Police Department got into the holiday spirit this week when its officers handed out gift cards instead of citations to drivers stopped for low-level infractions, Chief Ryan Columbus said.

On Wednesday, the department handed out gift cards to 35 drivers who were stopped for infractions, like license-plate issues, the department said. The drivers were given warnings about safe driving and told how to correct the infraction for which they were pulled over.

The program, in its second year, is a collaboration between the Tewksbury Police Association and Walmart.

The department said drivers pulled over for serious offenses were not eligible to receive gift cards.

"We believe that every interaction matters and that we can leave a lasting impression on people by how we treat them," Columbus said. "Most people interact with police once or twice in their lifetime, and we know they will remember how they were treated. Although handing out gift cards for those who are stopped for minor infractions is unique, it's a way for us to show we are human and understand that the holiday season can be stressful. "

Tewksbury Lt. Patrick O'Connor said the program is a way for the Tewksbury PD to create positive interactions with the community.

"It's an important partnership that we have with our community, so we want to show them that we support them," O'Connor said.