Full Notification

Innovative Community-Driven Program Partners with Police and Local Auto Service Providers to Replace Tickets with Repair Vouchers at No Cost

Lights On! – a community-driven program with the mission of fostering positive police-community relationships has expanded into the city of San Mateo in partnership with the San Mateo Police Department (SMPD).
 
Through the program, when an SMPD officer conducts a routine traffic stop for a mechanical violation (e.g., a burned-out light bulb; or broken turn signal), instead of issuing a ticket, the officer can provide a voucher for a free repair at a participating local auto repair shop. SMPD is pleased to partner with the following businesses for this program:
 

• Ma’s Auto Repair (2660 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403)
• Bob Reed’s Auto Service (1641 Palm Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94402)
• Hudson Automotive (186 South Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94402)

 
The Lights On! initiative is effective immediately in the city of San Mateo. Lights On! has partnered with over 150 law enforcement agencies across more than 20 states and surpassed the milestone of 10,000 vouchers redeemed in 2022. At that time, the program helped promote 10,000 positive interactions and 10,000 safer vehicles on the road.
 
Local auto service providers interested in joining the Lights On! program can sign up as a service location at LightsOnUS.Org/auto-shops.
 
The Lights On! program is supported by its parent organization, MicroGrants, and via community donations. To learn more or to donate, visit LightsOnUS.Org.
 
About Lights On! 
Lights On! is an award-winning program with the mission to promote constructive police-community relationships. Participating police agencies replace equipment violation tickets with Lights On! repair vouchers, which are redeemable for free repairs at partnered auto shops. The vouchers help reduce the financial burden that can lead to a potential downward spiral for community members in need, while also fostering positive interactions between drivers and officers. Lights On! is a program of MicroGrants, a non-profit dedicated to providing people of potential with grants that support economic stability. For more information or to donate, visit LightsOnUS.org.

View this video to learn more: https://youtu.be/H8FAOR4bluI.