by Emma Stone
What would you do if you were pulled over and handed a turkey instead of a ticket?
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office did just that this week in Dubach, Simsboro, Choudrant and South of Ruston.
Members of the LPSO pulled drivers over. Yet, instead of giving them a ticket, they gave them a frozen turkey.
Major Landon Hunt of the Lincoln Parish Criminal Division helped coordinate the turkeys and the officers. He said this is just one way for the local police to advance their relationship with the community.
“It’s a great way for our deputies to give back to our community,” said Hunt. “You can tell by the smiles on their faces how much joy it brings our deputies to be able to share a blessing with others.”
A total of 100 turkeys were given away this week as the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office partnered with Ruston Super1 Foods.
“A lot of our guys get more fulfillment out of it than even the citizens,” said Hunt. “It’s a way to turn what would be negative experience into something positive.”
Thomas Graham of Forth Insurance came back from a trip with his wife to Lake Charles in 2019 with the idea.
“I saw they were doing it from the Lake Charles local newspaper, and I thought it was a good idea to bring to Ruston,” said Graham.
Graham presented the Turkeys for Tickets project as a part of the Leadership Lincoln Chamber of Commerce class.
“The sheriff’s office was immediately on board,” said Graham. “Now, it’s something we take pride in and look forward to every year.”
Not only were citizens given turkeys, but they were instructed on how to be better drivers in the future.
The LP Sheriff’s Office expresses their appreciation to Randy and Thomas Graham with Forth Insurance for partnering with them.
