Latrobe police hand out gift cards, not tickets, for Christmas

Some motorists in Latrobe who were pulled over for minor violations last week got a warning — and a gift card, instead of a ticket.

In the spirit of Christmas, the city police department used community donations to buy 50 Shop ‘n Save supermarket gift cards and handed them out to motorists in the days before and after the holiday, according to Police Chief John Sleasman.

“It was a good feeling at this time of year,” Sleasman said in a report this week to city council.

When officers presented the cards at traffic stops, he said, “We used our discretion. Instead of writing them a citation, we chose to save them a $150 ticket and gave them a $50 gift card instead.”

Sleasman and other officers handed some of the cards to pedestrians in downtown Latrobe and others shopping at the local Shop ‘n Save.

“They were very grateful,” he said. One shopper “was trying to buy items on sale because she didn’t have a lot of money to spend on food. She said a $50 gift card would go a long way.”

Dr. Anita Bigo, a Latrobe chiropractor who has supported the Latrobe Police Department’s K-9 program, donated $2,000 toward the gift card distribution after asking Mayor Rosie Wolford how she could help the community this season.

“There’s a lot of people in town who need things,” Bigo said. “I wanted to give a donation, and people have to eat.”

Wolford and Sleasman expressed hope that the program can become an annual holiday tradition, with continued community contributions.

“Any opportunity we get, we’re going to help those in need,” Sleasman said. “We can only do it with the support of the community and their generous donations.”