Speeders given a (lottery) ticket

MlTlRISTS out on Christmas Day might feel unlucky to be given a speeding ticket, but not surprised.

Howeve r, drivers caught breaking the limit in one US city were startled when, rather than a fine, police officers issued them with a warning and a scratchoff lottery ticket.

lfficers in Melbourne, central Florida, had decided to spread some festive cheer and bought the lottery tickets with their own money.

They handed out more than 30 scratch-off game cards to motorists for speeding and other traffic violations on Wednesday.

‘We’re just doing a little bit of a different technique,’ said Sergeant Jamie Rocque.

‘ When we pull the motorists over, we’re also giving them the scratch- off tickets that the officers bought with t heir own personal funds. It’s something good to do in light of the holidays.

‘We’re getting a lot of surprised looks – people don’t know what to say.’

It was not known if any of those who received the tickets have won.

‘I don’t know, but we wish them well,’ Mr Rocque added.

Melbourne, in Brevard County, has a population of around TT,000.

The city’s police force boasts on its website that it offers ‘the services of a modern, progressive law enforcement department’.

It adds: ‘ The department is committed to excellence i n service to the community.’