Motorists who are caught speeding in the Florida Keys during the holidays might get an onion from the Grinch instead of a traffic citation!
On Tuesday, December 13, several motorists who were speeding through an elementary school zone on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway 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, is back on the streets for the holidays!
Drivers who travel about 5 mph 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 likely receive a costly ticket.
Col. Lou Caputo told the Associated Press “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.
When a car is pulled over, deputies approach the driver to check the vehicle’s license plate and the driver’s license. If all is in order, the deputy asks the motorist to wait in the car. That’s when the Grinch makes his appearance to chat with the often-startled driver, reinforce the reason for the traffic stop and then offer the choice between a citation and an onion.
“It catches them off guard, Caputo said. “So when I present the onion to them, they’re contemplating what to do.
“But when I give them a clear choice of a citation, or the onion, they will take the onion,” he said. “ And I’ve had them eat the onion, right in front of me.”
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