Local Police Use Repair Vouchers To Build Trust
A broken tail light could mean choosing between an auto repair and necessities for your family. One Minnesota-based voucher program is hoping to change that for all communities.
It’s illegal to drive with a car light out. But for some families, car repairs are an expense they just can’t afford.
Robbinsdale Police Capt. John Elder has seen it time and time again. He estimates that their department stops people for that reason multiple times a night.
“It’s not the time, it’s not location — it’s simply money,” Elder said.
That’s where the “Lights On!” program comes in. Instead of issuing a ticket, police give drivers vouchers for up to $250 in light repairs. Over 129 departments in Minnesota participate in the program, including every department in the CCX viewing area.
Robbinsdale Police Capt. John Elder shows what a typical repair voucher looks like through the ‘Lights On!’ program.
According to Elder, when people receive a voucher rather than a ticket, they’re often relieved.
Vouchers Turn Stops into Conversations
The voucher program also turns traffic stops into conversations — Elder’s seen that firsthand.
“It presents a much friendlier face to the public,” he said. “It’s even helped build relationships. I gave a voucher to a gentleman who, three weeks later, called the police department and asked for me, and was having some problems. I was able to actually hook him up with our embedded social worker to help him take care of. He didn’t know who else to turn to, he’d had that positive interaction with me, and he felt I was someone who was looking out for his best interest.”
Breaking down those barriers is why “Lights On!” started in the first place.
“Lights On!” Vice President Sherman Patterson, Jr. said leaders dreamed it up right here in Minnesota.
“Back in 2016, we all know what happened,” Patterson said. “A tragic event where a young man — Philando Castile — lost his life because he was stopped for a blown tail light.”
John Patterson joined the “Lights On!” team at its inception in 2017.
Patterson said those traffic stops can be life-changing. The voucher program makes those interactions more positive.
It’s “a public safety issue,” Patterson said. “Helping to restore police/community relations, you know — having that trust and just building on that. And then, from a socioeconomic standpoint, you’re helping people. So that’s what ‘Lights On!’ is about.”
Free Repairs
Within 60 days, recipients can take the voucher to a participating auto shop. Once redeemed, the shop mails an invoice to “Lights On!’ for reimbursement. Victory Auto Services in Brooklyn Park is a participant in the program.
Mechanics work on vehicles at Victory Auto Services in Brooklyn Park. Victory is one of a number of auto shops that take the light repair vouchers.
They see high traffic for standard tune-ups and light repairs.
Victory Auto Services Manager Chad Palomo said the voucher program is good for their business, too.
“I wouldn’t know the exact number over the years of how many it’s been, but it’s got to be in the thousands — of numbers of clients we’ve helped,” Palomo said.
Victory is one of many shops across the area that accept vouchers. A map of the locations, and participating police departments, is available on the “Lights On!” website.
“Lights On!” operates under the parent organization MicroGrants.
Over 10,000 vouchers have been redeemed across the country, with the bulk in Minnesota. Patterson hopes this partnership uplifts the people and communities involved.
“That domino effect is going into the community, it’s going into the law enforcement, to their peers,” Patterson said. “Its into those households. We want people to understand that we are not the be-all solution, we are part of the solution. It’s a big pile there, but we have to do our part.”
