• A report that police officers in Tempe, Arizona, would be pulling over good drivers as part of a safe-driving campaign has got Twitter simmering.
  • Critics pointed out that such a promotion could prove to be both stressful and dangerous for drivers.
  • Cops will be handing out coupons for free Circle K drinks in Tempe, but they will not be flagging down drivers as part of this campaign.
  • “One thing we definitely want to reiterate on this campaign that we are definitely not going to be pulling cars over,” Detective Greg Bacon told AZFamily.com.
  • Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

A bike and scooter safety promotion by police in Tempe, Arizona, has garnered an internet reaction as scorching as a free cup of Circle K hot chocolate.

The controversy appears to have started with a report from a local NBC affiliate station, which said that police would be teaming up with the local Circle K to reward citizens “for good driving behavior when it comes to pedestrian or bicycle-related traffic laws.” Coupons labeled “Operation Freeze” would entitle the recipient to a free Froster, while individuals who received an “Operation Heat” coupon could pick up a free medium hot chocolate or another hot beverage.

The campaign is part of Tempe’s “Vision Zero” program, which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries in the city.

https://twitter.com/12News/status/1155825651213131777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Many commenters took away the idea that Tempe police would be pulling over drivers complying with traffic laws as part of the campaign.

Critics proceeded to blast the idea of pulling over cars to hand out Circle K coupons, calling it unconstitutional, dangerous, and incredibly stress-inducing for drivers.

But a clip from AZFamily.com refutes the general perception of the Tempe Police Department's program.

"One thing we definitely want to reiterate on this campaign that we are definitely not going to be pulling cars over," Detective Greg Bacon told AZFamily.com.

"We are going to be having consensual contact with citizens on the street ... If you see an officer out and about and he walks up to talk to you or she walks up to talk to you, it's probably because he or she wants to talk to you about some of the traffic laws. Ride with the flow of traffic, wear a helmet, wear a bike light at night, if you have a scooter, we ask that you please ride in the bike lane when one is provided."

Circle K has not responded to Business Insider's request for comment. Tempe police released a statement on Twitter clarifying the programs' intentions.

Bacon also spoke to Business Insider about the program, saying that "police officers are not going to be out there pulling vehicles over and detaining subjects, removing people from their bicycles, or anything like that."

"Let's say that an officer works as a school resource officer and they observe a student riding to school every day, riding with the flow of traffic, riding in the bike lane, and wearing their helmet," he said. Bacon explained that the officer may then approach the student later in the day to hand out the coupons.

"It's a way for our officers to positively engage with community members in an effort to reduce harm in the city," he said.

But he also said that people are under no obligation to participate in the program.

"If an officer approaches a citizen, that citizen is under no obligation whatsoever to have the conversation," Bacon said. "They could easily just say, 'I've got something going on' or 'I just don't want to talk to you' and the officer is going to respect that."

The confusion still set off viral outrage against the "positive ticketing" campaign, with critics weighing in with concerns about police breaking the law, inconveniencing drivers, and overstepping boundaries.

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