The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) is excited to announce a new partnership with Advance Auto Parts, Inc. to promote road safety.
The program, which began in SLMPD’s 3rd District on July 17, involves officers giving out gift cards, instead of citations, to random motorists during traffic stops for vehicle equipment violations, such as a nonfunctioning taillight. An officer may provide a $25 Advance Auto Parts gift card and encourage the motorist to use the funds for vehicle repair. A total of 100 gift cards will be distributed with the goal of eventually expanding the program to other districts in the future.
“This partnership can help officers foster a stronger relationship with the community,” said District 3 Captain Angela Dickerson. “The citizen will leave the traffic stop with a positive interaction and feeling financially empowered to fix the equipment violation.”
Advance Auto Parts has deployed more than 70 ‘Advancing Our Roads’ programs across the U.S., but this is Advance’s first partnership with a law enforcement agency in Missouri. Motorists who receive gift cards can use them at any of Advance’s St. Louis-area store locations or online at AdvanceAutoParts.com.
“Our entire St. Louis field team is thankful to have this opportunity to work alongside Capt. [Angela] Dickerson and District 3 to play a role in helping local motorists,” said Tyler Bemisdarfer, Advance’s vice president of operations. “We’re looking forward to this program and how it can make a difference in the community while brightening the interactions between local law enforcement and our neighbors across St. Louis.”
