Florida officers hand out gift cards instead of tickets

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. - A Florida police department is spreading the holiday cheer by giving out presents instead of tickets. 

The Coral Springs police officers pulled over motorists and handed out gift cards, toys, and, and food bags instead of tickets and caught their reactions on video. 

“Nobody ever wants to see a police car pulling them over, right? That is not the case this time,” the agency wrote on Facebook.

Officer Natalie Cohen says the department is looking to lift people's spirits. "We’re hoping to make this holiday a lot brighter for our residents, bring a little cheer,” she said. 

The first motorist she pulled over thought she was joking. "Really? Stop lying!" he said.

Other officers who gave out gift cards received hugs and drivers told the officers their day was made. One woman who said she was unemployed was tearful and especially grateful for the kind gesture.