Tempe Police Will Not Pull Over Good Drivers for Free Coffee | Eater
"A local TV report said police in Tempe would pull over law-abiding drivers to hand out coupons for a free drink at a convenience store, sparking immediate backlash over possible Fourth Amendment violations and the traumatic risk such stops pose for people of color. Police later clarified they would not be initiating traffic stops but would instead approach people on foot to talk about traffic laws. Critics noted this kind of stunt echoes past 'positive ticketing' pranks and fails to address systemic disparities — Black and Hispanic drivers are stopped, searched, and arrested at higher rates and have sometimes been shot after following officers' instructions — so a free beverage was widely viewed as inadequate. Suggested alternatives included non-confrontational safety measures like pamphlet distribution or billboard campaigns promoting safe driving." - Jaya Saxena
