Drivers in Miami Gardens got an unexpected surprise this week when police lights flashed behind them. Instead of a ticket, many motorists left a traffic stop with a frozen turkey, handed out by Miami Gardens Police officers on Thanksgiving Thursday morning.
The department has run the giveaway for six years. Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt said the aim is to ease the pressure on families who might otherwise struggle to put a holiday meal on the table.
Several drivers said they were caught off guard. One motorist said he initially assumed he had done something wrong. Another said she planned to pass her turkey along to someone else in need.
Walmart donated the birds for residents, and Noel-Pratt thanked the retailer for partnering with the department each year. Officials said the event is meant to build trust between officers and the community. Authorities also used the stops to talk with drivers about road safety.
