The Springfield Police Department will begin an effort to replace tickets for defective vehicle equipment with no-cost repair vouchers in the spring of 2024, according to a department press release.
Through the program, when a officer conducts a routine traffic stop involving a mechanical violation —like a burned out taillight bulb or a broken turn signal— instead of issuing a ticket, the officer can provide a voucher for a free repair at a participating auto shop. The partnership is between the Police Department and Lights On!, a nonprofit grant program that started in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“We are proud to adopt this program,” Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams wrote in the release. “For some families, a broken taillight or headlight can sometimes mean choosing between a minor auto repair and buying groceries.”
“This program gives officers a useful tool to engage with drivers and offer a helpful solution, rather than a ticket or fine,” Williams wrote.
Lights On! program is partnered with 175 law enforcement agencies across 21 states, according to the release. The program helped police officers issue 10,000 repair vouchers instead of tickets in 2022.
The Lights On! program is supported by its parent organization, MicroGrants, and by community donations, according to the release. The Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) started the fundraising effort with a $2,500 donation.
