Tulsa Police Surprise Speeders With $100 Gift Cards

Tulsa police officers were out patrolling Tuesday, looking for speeders.

They caught a bunch of people, but instead of giving out tickets, the officers gave out gift cards.

Tulsa police officer Stephen Parrish said an anonymous donor gave them nine, $100 gift cards to give out to people.

He said the look on their faces made it all worth it.

Officer Stephen Parrish keeps people safe as a traffic enforcement officer for Tulsa police.

A big part of that is making sure people aren't speeding.

"We're going to see if we can catch anybody in the act," he said.

Officer Parrish parked on Peoria with a radar gun in hand, but these traffic stops were a little different.

"We got this apartment complex and the school down there," Parrish told a speeder.

Amaya Tiger was worried at first until the big reveal: $100 to Target.

"Something to help with the holidays," Parrish said.

"I got a gift card from the Tulsa Police Department!" Tiger said.

Parrish was back in his SUV to find another person to surprise.

La'Edna Barnes was next.

"We want to say Merry Christmas," said Parrish.

"Oh my goodness," Barnes said.

"I just recently became unemployed, this a great blessing," she said.

"It seems like it could really help and make a difference," said Officer Parrish.

One final stop turned a Tulsa woman's entire Christmas around for her and her young son.

The gift card is going straight to her son.

"I didn't really know how I was going to get Christmas for him this year," she said. "I'm super grateful."

Parrish hopes people slow down to make sure everyone has a safe and joyful Christmas this year.

"That's the best part is to see that look of gloom turn into joy," Parrish said.

This was Officer Parrish's first time giving out cards on traffic stops and hopes it helps make someone's holiday a little brighter.