In light of recent police department-related events across the country, the police can use all the image boosting they can get.
Whether or not this stunt from the Lowell, Michigan police department is related to the aforementioned events is unclear, but it really doesn’t matter. All that does matter is that there are police departments willing to bring good cheer to their communities.
Working with UP TV’s Uplift Someone and videographer Bob Bliss, the man behind the infamous 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman stunt, the Lowell police department crafted a feel-good, Christmas-themed wanna-be-viral stunt which involved surprising drivers that officers had pulled over.
After pulling people over for seemingly minor traffic violations, police officers engaged in small talk with the drivers in an effort to eke out the kinds of presents the drivers planned to give their loved ones for Christmas.
Working in real-time, a team of shoppers — which were relayed information from the conversation and were at the ready in a local retail store — purchased the items the drivers had mentioned and stealthily delivered them to the police officer who then presented them to the driver. Surprise and merriment ensued.
The video ends with a bit of a cause message which reads, “While we don’t condone minor traffic violations, it’s important for police departments to take the time to show their citizens just how much they care.” Since its release December 9, the video has achieved 163,000 views.
So far, the video comment section is filled with an overabundance of incendiary comments, indicating the effort may not be getting the result it intended.
Viewers are also urged to take the #UpLiftSomeone challenge during the holidays by doing something special or small for friends and loved ones.
Don't forget to complete the #UPLIFTSOMEONE challenge this week! pic.twitter.com/m1jGdd6RXu — UP (@UPtv) December 10, 2014
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