Texas police turn traffic tickets into toy drive

[November 26, 2008]  SANSOM PARK, Texas (AP) -- Some police officers in a North Texas suburb are playing Santa Claus with naughty drivers.

For the next month, some motorists pulled over in Sansom Park will be given a "ticket for tots" instead of a formal citation. Drivers are then asked to drop off a $10 toy at the police station.

"This is a low-income community. A lot of the kids are not going to have a Christmas at all," Martinez says.

While it's not mandatory to donate a toy, police think forgoing writing motorists a ticket could lead people to return the kindness.

Officers have discretion over who gets issued a citation or "ticket for tots" depending on the violation.

Police point out that the average traffic ticket in Sansom Park -- a Fort Worth suburb -- costs about $165.

[Associated Press]

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