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On The Road
Unique traffic stops in Missouri bring drivers to tears
45
STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS
Dec 12, 2014 7:32 PM EST
00:00 / 00:00Ad of secs00:00 / 00:00
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Earlier this month, in Kansas City, Missouri, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department was out looking for people. And when they spotted a subject, they went after them, in a sting operation the likes of which this country has never seen.
What made this operation especially unusual was the man behind it: a fellow in a red hat -- known to these men only as "Secret Santa."
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Every year this anonymous, wealthy businessman gives out about a hundred thousand dollars worth of hundred dollar bills to random strangers. But this year, instead of doing it all himself, he deputized these deputies to give away much of it.
"Let's start with a thousand," Secret Santa said as he gave the deputies the money.
And so, armed to the teeth with Benjamins, the officers went out to do Santa's bidding. They specifically went after people they thought would appreciate it most. Cars driving while dented -- or out on Bondo -- were likely targets.
"Merry Christmas," a deputy said while handing money to a driver.
"You're kidding. Oh my God, no," answered the driver in disbelief.
Most people weren't just blown away -- most people were moved to tears. Their reactions were a combination of really needing the money and being caught off guard.
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We saw Jessica Rodriguez, a mother of three, get pulled over. While the deputy walked to her car, Rodriguez talked to someone on her cell phone to tell them she'd been pulled over for "no cause."
"How you doing, m'am?" the deputy asked her.
"I'm good until you pulled me over," she answered.
"Okay, well, on behalf of Secret Santa, he wants you to have this, OK?" the deputy said as he handed her money.
Rodriguez told the deputy he saved her Christmas.
"I wasn't going to be able to get my kids anything," she told him.
"Well, I hope you may be able to get your kids something with it," he said.
As always, creating moments like that is the main mission here. But this year "Secret Santa" also had a secret agenda.
"What do you want the officers to get out of this?" I asked him.
"Joy," he answered. "You know, as tough as they are they have hearts that are bigger than the world."
Let's face it, it hasn't been a good year for law enforcement -- but for the vast majority of decent officers who will never make headlines -- Secret Santa offered this gift.
A chance to be bearer of good news for a change, a chance to really help the homeless, to thank the law-abiders, to see hands up in celebration and then be assaulted in the best possible way.
Play VIDEO
On the Road: Hope for the holidays
There were a lot of hugs. Our body cameras took a real beating, but it was worth it -- just to see people trust again and to see cops surrender.
To contact On the Road, or to send us a story idea, e-mail us.
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NEWESTOLDESTTOP COMMENTS
LOQUACIOUSANT December 21, 2014 0:12PM
it's so nice, but it makes me sad that what matters most is...money. I know why it does, but...it's sad. And I agree, this is not an appropriate use of law enforcement personnel. An event, maybe, but pulling someone over? Terrifying experience with a "gotcha" ending. Someone might have a heart attack, or....and I would have refused the money, yeah. It's just....not aligned. And this report says "in the best possible way" -- meaning, money is the "best possible" thing. Sigh.
1LikeReply
YOGABUFF December 15, 2014 8:8PM
This guy has been doing this for years in Kansas City. For all of you nay-sayers and doubters remember if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. What have you done to help someone out?
LikeReply
MAKEMYDAY2DAY December 14, 2014 4:4AM
While this is a great gesture, the truth is many poor people can't even afford a car. What about them?! Secret Santas also need to be boarding local transit buses for the truly needy who, often times, have to walk a good distance to catch a bus or once they get off carrying heavy bags of groceries home. I happen to walk or ride the bus but I'm not needy as many of the people I see. I recently helped a young mother carry her groceries home after I saw her trying to carry too many bags. She couldn't speak English and I wasn't much better with my Spanish but she was very appreciative - probably since I'm a female at least twice her age, LOL. It was actually a nice walk for several blocks and trying to communicate as best as we could!
3LikeReply
SUGARCHRIS December 14, 2014 4:4AM
Just curious how much of the money the officers failed to give out, but rather gave it to themselves instead?
3LikeReply
OHHHWOLFY December 13, 2014 11:11PM
Over the years the police would try a program where they'd observe drivers & stop cars, giving the driver an award for being so good behind the wheel. It never worked because in many cases the driver would become irate due to the delay & initial fear they were about to get a ticket for something.
This is different for two reasons: these are (seemingly) poor drivers, each getting $100 cash.
The other reason needs an explanation:
My pharmacy technician wife has worked with rich and poor customers alike. She has found that the poor are MUCH more appreciative while a high percentage of the rich complain, even though they nearly always have a paid prescription insurance plan.
In short, I suspect many that complained in the "good driver" program were rich.
2LikeReply
GIRLOUTWEST2011 December 13, 2014 9:9PM
I would be very angry to be stopped for this. Nothing wrong with kindness but there is something wrong with contrived do-gooders. There are better ways to improve relations between the police and the people, forcing them to pull over is not a good one. You see, the "victim" has no choice and the "authority" relishes the control.
6LikeReply
TEUCHTER MACDUFF December 14, 2014 0:12AM
@girloutwest2011 Lighten up. Sounds like you would get angry over anything if you get angry over this. You could try taking anger management courses. Might help. MERRY CHRISTMAS.
2LikeReply
TEUFELDRITCH December 14, 2014 5:5AM
@girloutwest2011 Lighten up? This is a blatant abuse of power. Doesn't matter if its a 'good thing' or not. The police are to only pull ppl over if there is a suspicion of a crime have being comitted or they believe someone may be in need of help(& no secret santa money does not count as 'help') of some kind. This is straight up propaganda for the cops. If I were a attorney & I got pulled over for some secret santa bs I would be sueing the cop that pulled me over, the department he works for & the city or county the department is beholden to.
3LikeReply
REYA5000 December 20, 2014 1:1AM
@teufeldritch @girloutwest2011 So....there is really no point In doing anything nice for you, is there?
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KPETERS_FROM_UK December 14, 2014 5:5PM
@girloutwest2011
When a person is financially struggling that she can't buy her kids a present I would bet that that person doesn't give crap about your notion of "victim" and "authority". I do get tried of middle class people complaining about how "good-doers" are doing something wrong and yet not understanding when a needy person is seriously lacking for food or money to pay the heating and medicine That needy person doesn't care how the help got to him rather it matters that HELP DID GET TO HIM.
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MJOHNSONINTEXAS December 13, 2014 7:7PM
What I see is felony kidnapping and the Feds should arrest anyone involved including the "police officers".
3LikeReply
TEUCHTER MACDUFF December 14, 2014 0:12AM
@mjohnsonintexas You don't get out much do you? Kidnapping????
3LikeReply
MJOHNSONINTEXAS December 14, 2014 5:5PM
what do you call it when two heavily armed men hold a citizen against their will for no legal reason. Kidnapping, abuse of power???
2LikeReply
SALLYCHICAGO December 13, 2014 5:5PM
OMG, that is the BEST story!
2LikeReply
EROTEME2 December 13, 2014 0:12PM
In Salina KS a police officer dressed as Santa stopped cars to offer candy, then directed some drivers to steer to the place police were issuing tickets for not wearing seat belts.
2LikeReply
TEUFELDRITCH December 13, 2014 5:5PM
@eroteme2 I'm not surprised at all.
1LikeReply
TEUCHTER MACDUFF December 14, 2014 0:12AM
@eroteme2 Then they should have been wearing their seat belts. Very simple. But I doubt this story very much. BS
1LikeReply
FLOWERGIRL7 December 13, 2014 11:11AM
Is this type of charity a tax deduction?
LikeReply
JOHN782011 December 13, 2014 11:11PM
@flowergirl7 No as it is not to a organization that is a charity.
LikeReply
THISISAPOLICESTATE December 13, 2014 11:11AM
How is this legal? Detaining U.S. citizens without cause is illegal.
4LikeReply
SALLYCHICAGO December 13, 2014 5:5PM
@ThisisaPoliceState OH STOP it!
3LikeReply
TEUCHTER MACDUFF December 14, 2014 0:12AM
@ThisisaPoliceState Get real. You sound like the Grinch.
3LikeReply
TEUFELDRITCH December 14, 2014 5:5AM
@sallychicago @Teuchter MacDuff
Do you care about your rights at all? Evidently not. Just because you don't care about your rights does not mean other ppl do not.
2LikeReply
ETEAMER December 13, 2014 10:10AM
If a cop pulled me over and handed me money, my first thought would be they are trying to get my finger prints on drug money. This story is pure propaganda.
4LikeReply
SALLYCHICAGO December 13, 2014 5:5PM
@eteamer I bet you wouldn't turn the money down :)
4LikeReply
TEUCHTER MACDUFF December 14, 2014 0:12AM
@eteamer Maybe in your case they are. Why so paranoid???
3LikeReply
TEUFELDRITCH December 14, 2014 5:5AM
@Teuchter MacDuff @eteamer Because their cops & every single thing they do is to 'catch a perp.'
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ROB RICCI December 13, 2014 10:10AM
I can't