TICKETS, from page 1 Police: Park, drive safely
By Daily Press Staff
Parking tickets aren’t the only thing the Santa Monica Police Department is doling out this holiday season.
Traffic service officers, who are often verbally and sometimes physically abused while issuing tickets, are playing Santa this week by giving out free movie tickets to good little boy and girl motorists.
Between today and Christmas, if you are observed being courteous, cautious and promoting public safety, you may be given a “Good Parking Ticket” — admission and/or concessions to a Third Street Promenade movie theatre. The tickets will go to motorists, people parking their cars and to pedestrians.
“We’ll give them to anyone who is obeying the traffic laws during this holiday season,” SMPD Chief James T. Butts Jr. “Sometimes it’s very tempting to violate our pedestrian laws and sometimes, in the rush to get those last-minute gifts, people are tempted to speed and run red lights. And for those people who resist temptation, we think they should be rewarded. It makes everybody’s holiday season safer.”
Police encourage everyone to park and drive safely at all times, but, with the extra pressures of the holiday season, parking can be difficult and as a result, frustrating.
That’s why the SMPD wants to ticket those who handle the pressure with a little tact and compassion. Not to worry, though: No traffic school required.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.