Mich. Police Officers Give Out Turkeys Instead of Tickets: 'We've Had Some Great Reactions'
What to know
• Southgate police conducted goodwill traffic stops, handing out donated turkeys to six or seven motorists as part of a community-engagement effort.
• The department also distributed about 20 turkeys to families nominated by local public schools, supported by donations from Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.
• Det. Sgt. Mike Murphy said the annual program, now in its fourth year, aims to build positive interactions between officers and residents.
They got a turkey instead of a ticket.
About six or seven motorists pulled over in Southgate recently received a free gift from the Southgate Police Department.
It’s a way to provide positive interactions with police officers, Detective Sgt. Mike Murphy said.
“We’ve had some great reactions,” he said.
The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries donated the turkeys. Each year for about the past four years, the Police Department gives the turkeys to families nominated by the city’s public schools, Murphy said.
About 20 turkeys were given to school families this year.
A half dozen leftover birds provided some good cheer during the “traffic stops” on motorists, Murphy said.
____________
© 2025 The News Herald, Southgate, Mich.
Visit www.thenewsherald.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.