Fort Worth

Pantego Police Ask Drivers to Pay Fines in Kindness, Not Cash

Christmas is the season of giving, but Pantego police are asking for toys instead of giving tickets.

When officers with the Pantego Police Department pull drivers over for minor traffic offenses during the holiday season, they will give the driver a flyer asking for a donation to their toy drive. The toys will be delivered to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth.

Pantego Police Department Asst. Chief Barry Reeves said the response to their third annual toy drive has been positive.

"We've had a huge turnout," he said. "We usually show up with two, three, almost four SUVs full of toys. It's just great."

What makes the program even better, Reeves said, is that each toy donated represents a person righting a wrong. Pantego Police Department Chief Thomas Griffith said the program has a greater impact on the community than tickets.

"It's great for the season," he said. "It's great for everybody."

Pantego police hold a similar toy drive before the start of each school year as well.

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