JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have linked up to launch a new program.
The program is called Lights On — an initiative that’s new to Jacksonville and the first of its kind in the state of Florida.
Under this new program, police officers who pull over drivers for faulty vehicle lights can now give them a voucher instead of a traffic citation.
The voucher can be used for free repairs for issues such as burned out bulbs, inoperable turn signals, or for brake lights, headlights and tail lights.
JSO believes it’s a way to help connect police officers with the community and to help those who may not have the money to get those needed repairs.
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According to JSO, “this partnership will bring a nationally recognized program to Jacksonville that works to build community-police relationships.”
The sheriff’s office said taxpayer dollars aren’t being used to fund this program.
“The program is completely community-driven and would not be possible to start here without Lights On, and the incredible support of our very own Jacksonville Jaguars. They were just as excited to hear about this program as we were,” a JSO spokesperson said.
Through the Jaguars’ inspired change initiative, its objective is to “drive systemic change and inequality in Jacksonville by creating a greater, more positive human connection,” Whitney Meyer, the chief community impact officer for the Jags, said.
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“We’re providing more incomes to local auto mechanic shops. So, this voucher is going to all of our local shops here in Jacksonville,” Meyer said.
For more information or for details on how to redeem a voucher, visit: www.lightson.org/autocenters.
Both organizations announced the partnership Wednesday morning during a news conference outside TIAA Bank Field. Watch below:
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