Results: Police officers surprising shoppers with random acts of kindness

Some departments focus on holiday outreach — including "pulling over" drivers and handing them frozen turkeys or cash instead of a ticket, though that sort of interaction can still spark momentary fear in the drivers before they realize what's going on. Are you aware of any positive community interactions by your local police?

The Oceanside Police Department in California has taken a lower-key approach to that giving spirit, choosing to focus recent efforts on shoppers in grocery stores rather than drivers on the road. "Most of the time when people call the police, it's not under the greatest circumstances," Jennifer Atenza, the department's public information officer, told WMTV. "It's when something bad has happened, there's an emergency, there's trauma involved. So, this affords us the opportunity to make connections under positive circumstances." Do you think it is good that police departments are reaching out to the community with kindness - to improve relations between the citizens and the police who serve them?

It's great timing since the price of staples has increased dramatically, leaving people in difficult financial straits even more strapped for cash. "Grocery costs have skyrocketed and Oceanside police officers are heading out to stores to help people overcome food insecurity," the Oceanside Police Department posted on Facebook on April 19. "OPD will surprise shoppers with Random Acts of Kindness by helping with the grocery tab in April." Have you ever received unexpected or much needed help from a police officer?

It's part of a Random Acts of Kindness initiative made possible by a generous $20,000 donation from the Fortin family, who founded the Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. "My family and I enthusiastically support the Oceanside Police Department Acts of Kindness Project," founder Wayne Fortin said, according to the City of Oceanside. If you had the resources, would you support the police in a manner such as this that could help improve police/community relations?

"We can think of no better way for us to provide acts of kindness to Oceanside residents than by partnering with Oceanside police officers who are on the front lines and encounter those who need kindness and a helping hand on a regular basis." Each month, the department is implementing a different act of kindness, and April's was to go out to local grocery stores and surprise customers with $100 bills. Are you interested to learn what other ways the Oceanside PD will be making a difference in their community members' lives?