Motorists on College Drive had a sweet surprise on Wednesday afternoon.
Lloydminster mayor Gerald Aalbers, along with a team from the Lloydminster RCMP and municipal peace officers, set up a check-stop along College Drive during the afternoon. Southbound drivers were directed into the parking lot of Fire Station #2, and spoke with officers from the local detachment.
As each driver was cleared by the officers, they would then be cleared out of the stop, receiving a candy from the mayor on their way back to the road.
Aalbers said the stop was intended to send a positive message.
“That’s the intention of today,” said Aalbers.
“A check stop can be a positive message, because we know that hopefully, at the end of the day, everybody is going to get home safe, and nobody is out drinking and driving.”
Aalbers also indicated he wanted children to get a positive image for the police from the stop.
“We want to make this a positive experience, and help lead people,” said Aalbers.
“The candy canes are as much for the kids. If we get a carload of kids, I hope they go away with a positive image of being pulled over by a police officer, because most people don’t get pulled over, and when that happens, it’s kind of a positive thing.”