Takoma Park police could pay for you to get your broken tail light fixed

In one Maryland town, there’s a chance if you get pulled over by an officer for a broken light, you might also get some money to have it fixed.

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As of this week, officers in Takoma Park will be able to use their discretion to hand out vouchers to residents they pull over for broken lights on their cars in a program called Lights On.

If a Takoma Park officer pulls you over for a broken car light, they’ll typically hand you an order that requires you to get it fixed and tell the state within 30 days. But now, the officer may hand over a voucher that enables you to get it fixed for free up to $250.

The University of Maryland Police Department is the only other department in the state that does this. The program is part of a micro-grant.

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One officer FOX 5 spoke with on Thursday says the biggest factor for him is how friendly and contrite the person he pulled over may be.

FOX 5 was also there with Corporal Thomas Sims as he handed out Takoma Park’s first voucher today.

Kevin Jones is the driver who was pulled over. He tells FOX 5 he loves the idea of the program and will take advantage of it.

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" I think it’s awesome because I’m sure this happens all the time to drivers at the moment because you can’t see your front light when you’re driving," says Jones. "So I think it’s great, and you save a little money too."

Police say this has many benefits, but anything that creates a positive interaction between officers and the public is a plus. It could also save people money from unexpected costs and keeps the community at large safer.

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There’s only one body shop, for now, where this is eligible. Takoma Park police say they’re open to adding more. The owner there tells FOX 5 that the average cost of the simplest light fix is around $15.