'Grinch' Cop Gives Speeders 2 Options: Ticket or an Onion

Col. Lou Caputo uses unusual method to get Florida Keys motorists to slow down
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 15, 2022 9:05 AM CST
These Speeding Drivers Don't Get Tickets. They Get Onions
In this photo, a Maryland motorist, left, accepts an onion instead of a traffic citation from Monroe County Sheriff's Office Col. Lou Caputo, right, costumed as the Grinch, on Tuesday.   (Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau via AP)

Several motorists who were speeding through an elementary school zone on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway recently received an odorous onion as a reminder to slow down from a county sheriff's deputy dressed as the Grinch. Col. Lou Caputo, a 37-year veteran of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office who conjured up the concept more than 20 years ago, was back on the streets Tuesday, per the AP. Drivers who travel about 5mph or less above the school zone's speed limit can choose between traffic citations and an onion presented by the Grinch. Those speeding beyond that will likely receive a costly ticket.

"It's about education, awareness that our school zones are still operating even though it's the holiday season," Caputo said. "We want people to slow down." Caputo said he portrays the fictional character created by children's author Dr. Seuss to give motorists a "gift," but also to call attention in a nice way to the need to obey speed limits in school zones. "It catches them off guard," Caputo said. "But when I give them a clear choice of a citation or the onion, they will take the onion. And I've had them eat the onion right in front of me." Keys schools remain in session through Friday.

(More strange stuff stories.)

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