Police surprise drivers, families with gifts

COEUR d’ALENE — Police officers in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls are setting aside the ticket books and spreading the Christmas cheer this year.

Both police agencies are out in force this Christmas handing out presents and gift cards to families who otherwise might have gone without.

The Coeur d'Alene Police Officers Association recently bought 60 gift cards, worth $25 each, to give out to help brighten the holidays.

On the Coeur d’Alene Police Department’s Facebook page, there are videos of officers pulling people over for legitimate traffic violations, but letting them off with warnings and an unexpected gift card to Fred Meyer.

In one video the officer even went back to his patrol car to retrieve stuffed animals for the children in one of the vehicles.

In another video, one driver was having a difficult day, and the $25 gift card brought her to tears of joy.

The Post Falls Police Department decided to extend its Holiday and Heroes program to help an additional 20 Post Falls families. They handed out more than $3,400 in gift cards over the three days leading up to Christmas.

All of the funds used to purchase the gift cards derived from community donations made to the Holidays and Heroes event earlier this month.

“Several Post Falls Police officers and volunteers took 22 children shopping. There were still more names on the list and with this year’s overwhelming cash donation generosity, we decided to purchase gift cards for those additional families.” they reported on their Facebook page. “We are fortunate to be able to present the gift cards on behalf of our entire community. Thank you!”

At one house, officers said the grandmother told them that she was going to post a message on Facebook about needing help to purchase the children’s Christmas presents.

“She hadn’t posted anything yet and was overwhelmed with emotion when we showed up with the gift card,” PFPD reported on Facebook. “She cried and asked us to thank the Post Falls community and wish everyone a merry Christmas!”

Aside from the gift cards the PFPD Victim Services Unit joined the team, providing stuffed animals, coloring books, and toys for the children.