Out of cite: Offenders get welcome surprises
By Daily Press staff
Chances are that if you have a run-in with the law, it doesn’t always work out in your favor.
That’s not the case with the Santa Monica Police Department this holiday season. The SMPD, in partnership with Santa Monica Place, is doling out tickets this month to people exuding good driving behavior.
SMPD motorcycle officers and parking and traffic officers are handing out $20 gift cards for Santa Monica Place to drivers and pedestrians who tow the line.
Officers started handing out the “safe driver tickets” on Wednesday and will continue through Dec. 25. During that time, motorists in Santa Monica may be rewarded by an officer if they are observed as being courteous, cautious and promoting public safety on the streets and parking lots.
On Thursday, at least three tickets were given out — two were issued to motorists by officer Rob Dawson, while another was awarded to Jon Mussman, a pedestrian crossing Arizona Avenue at the Third Street Promenade, who obeyed the signal, according to traffic service officer Elaine Vega.
A driver was rewarded by Dawson after she pulled out of a parking structure on Second Street, yielded to a pedestrian while turning right on Santa Monica Boulevard and used her turn signal. Another driver was picked after yielding at a yellow light at Santa Monica Boulevard and Second Street.
“Normally, people will go through the yellow light,” Dawson said. “He slowed down and chose to stop.”
Dawson said he pulled over Thomas Velazquez, who was unsure of what he had done wrong.
“I told him I wanted to compliment him on his driving,” Dawson said. “He did what he was supposed to do.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.