5-19-21 CPD Brings Lights On! program to its community

Under the program, CPD officers on traffic stops can provide a voucher for a free repair, up to $250, on mechanical problems with the vehicle rather than citing the driver. Some common mechanical violations include burned-out light bulbs, broken turn signals, etc. CPD is pleased to partner with the following businesses for this program:

• Christian Brothers Automotive Hixson - 5595 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343
• Downtown Automotive - 1725 S Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37408
• Danny’s Auto Center - 3415 Campbell St, Chattanooga, TN 37406
• Scenic City Auto Repair - 2828 Rossville Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37407
• Express Tire & Service - 4911 Hwy 58 N, Chattanooga, TN 37416
• Parker’s Automotive and Fuel - 3660 Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37411

“The Lights On! program is a way to build relationships between police departments and the communities they serve,” said Don Samuels, CEO of Lights On!. “Instead of punishing drivers for broken lights, we can fix the mechanical issue and mitigate what often becomes a downward spiral for community members in need. We are giving officers a new tool on their duty belt that creates a positive interaction, especially needed in these tense times,” said Samuels. 

The CPD is incorporating Lights On! in response to recent analysis of economic traffic violations and citation data as evidenced in the Policing and Racial Equity Dashboard created by the City of Chattanooga’s Office of Performance Management and Open Data. The dashboard challenged CPD to analyze the data through an equitable lens. The result indicates a marginally disproportionate negative effect on historically oppressed communities of color in Chattanooga.

“The dashboard data drove conversations and analysis of where changes are needed and can be made by the Chattanooga Police Department as it relates to certain traffic citations,” said Chief Roddy. “Bringing Lights On! is one way the department is implementing change in order to better and more equitably serve the members of our community.”

Participation in Lights On! requires a financial stake in the program. This is being drawn from funds built through Automated Traffic Enforcement citations. These funds may only be utilized for traffic education, enforcement, and awareness. The CPD believes the Lights On! program is a perfect use for these dollars.

The program is completely free to voucher recipients and is supported by community in-kind and financial donations. To learn more or donate, visitLightsOnUS.Org. 

About Lights On!

Lights On! is a community-driven program which offers repair vouchers instead of traffic tickets for participating law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. The program was founded in 2017 after the unnecessary death of Philando Castile as a solution to a small problem that has a significant community impact. Officers can provide drivers with Lights On! vouchers redeemable for free repairs of broken lights at partnered auto shops. The vouchers reduce the financial burden that could lead to a potential downward spiral for community members in need as well as creates a positive interaction between drivers and officers, to rebuild trust. Lights On! was created by Don Samuels, founder of MicroGrants, a non-profit dedicated to providing people of potential with grants that spur economic stability by bridging the gap between their current state and a more successful future.

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