LAKE CHARLES, La. ( KPLC /Gray News) - Drivers in one Louisiana community received a surprise during traffic stops Wednesday morning.

Deputies with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office handed out Thanksgiving turkeys instead of writing tickets for minor violations.

The holiday outreach is part of an annual program to help families in need and show a different side of law enforcement.

“In law enforcement, it’s important to have good community relations. Relationships matter. This is an opportunity for us to go out and spread good community cheer, just to let people see that. It’s the holidays, it’s a way to give back,” Sheriff Stitch Guillory said.

Deputies began loading and bagging the turkeys before heading out around 8:30 a.m. to surprise drivers across the parish.

The response w

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