ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is teaming up with an auto parts store to hand out gift cards instead of tickets.

“This partnership can help officers foster a stronger relationship with the community,” District 3 Captain Angela Dickerson said in a release. “The citizen will leave the traffic stop with a positive interaction and feeling financially empowered to fix the equipment violation.”

The gift cards are eligible for District 3, which includes neighborhoods like Lafayette Sqaure, Soulard, Compton Heights, Benton Park West, Marine Villa, Fox Park, McKinley Heights, Gravois Park, and Kosciusko.

Drivers in District 3 who get pulled over for equipment violations, like a broken headlight or taillight, may receive a $25 gift card from Advance Auto Parts Inc. to purchase the necessary replacement.

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There are 100 total gift cards available, and once supplies run out, SLMPD is hopeful to take the initiative beyond District 3. The funds are able to be used at any Advance Auto Parts location in the St. Louis area or online.

“Our entire St. Louis field team is thankful to have this opportunity to work alongside Capt. Dickerson and District 3 to play a role in helping local motorists,” Tyler Bemisdarfer, Advance’s vice president of operations, said in a release. “We’re looking forward to this program and how it can make a difference in the community while brightening the interactions between local law enforcement and our neighbors across St. Louis.”

According to a statement from SLMPD, this is the first partnership between any Missouri law enforcement agency and Advance Auto Parts.

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