August 11, 2021 – The Flagler Beach Police Department is proud to announce the completion of its inaugural summer traffic safety/educational campaign “Christmas in July”. The response from our community with regards to this initiative has been amazing!
This inaugural campaign began on Sunday, July 18, 2021 and concluded on Sunday, August 1, 2021. During the two (2) weeks that encompassed the traffic safety program, Officers from the Flagler Beach Police Department issued a total of one-hundred and seventy-nine (179) “toy waivers” along with warning citations for non-criminal State traffic and City parking offenses. The “toy waiver” afforded each motorist the opportunity to donate a new, unwrapped toy, instead of facing a potential civil fine. Citizen participation in the program was 100% voluntary.
“Thank you to our community for embodying the spirit of the winter holidays during the heat of the summer” stated Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney. Doughney concluded by stating “Our Officers embraced the program with their outstanding efforts and once again our community’s generosity was overwhelming. A single donated toy will brighten the life of a child on Christmas morning and that pretty much sums it all up”.
All toys from this initiative will be donated to the local non-profit charity “Christmas Come True” for dissemination to local families. Ms. Nadine King, founder of “Christmas Come True” stated, “It is always heartwarming for us to partner with the Flagler Beach Police Department. Our Police force is among the very finest that serve our community in a loving and concerned manner. The continued success of this creative “Toys for Tickets” program is a blessing for so many children and their parents. This program has enabled us to extend our help to struggling families through our Birthday program. Thank you to all that have given gifts of joy!”
We as a Department would like to relay our sincerest “Thanks!” to everyone who participated in this year’s campaign for their generosity and willingness to making a positive difference for the children of our community. For additional information regarding the results of this year’s program, please contact Chief Doughney at (386) 517-2020.
Media Release:
Matthew P. Doughney, Chief of Police
City of Flagler Beach
