12/15/2005
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Create Santa StingSheriffs in Los Angeles County, California dress up like Santa Claus to issue $5000 in holiday citations.
Los Angeles County, California Sheriffs dressed up like Santa Claus and waited in crosswalks to issue $147 tickets to passing motorists whom they claim had failed to yield. Deputy Joe Trejo's operation in Newhall yesterday generated at least $5000 in revenue.
"When people get a citation here, it's not like a speeding ticket," Deputy Richard Phares told the Los Angeles Daily News. "They may complain a little about the speeding ticket, but not like they will complain about this one."
This is the fifth time that the force has used a santa suit for what has become an annual holiday sting.