CHESTER >> The Chester Police Department averaged more than one citation per minute at midday Thursday. The occasion wasn’t a record 87 minutes for traffic violations. Instead it was the police and city officials’ third annual “turkey citation” campaign to distribute 100 turkeys to safe motorists in the city ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Police officers pulled over passing motorists to distribute turkeys from a roving municipal van, starting uptown before traveling through the central city to the West End with stops at 22nd Street and Edgmont Avenue, Ninth and Tilghman streets, and Ninth Street and Highland Avenue.
“We’re making sure we get across the whole city,” said Police Commissioner Otis Blair. “We were so overwhelmed at one location the first two years that we didn’t have enough turkeys to spread to the other parts of town.”
An outgrowth of talks between the mayor’s office, Blair and Fire Commissioner Travis E. Thomas, the “turkey citation” has given city businesses a philanthropic opportunity for the holiday season. This year, B.T.R Construction and Chris Maher’s Armour Seal Roofing, Masonry and Contracting, provided the turkey donations.
The event has elicited interest from residents each year, with officials having to turn away many walk-ups. “With today’s technology, the information gets out there so fast – 100 turkeys could go in less than 15 minutes real easy,” said Blair. “In order to be fair across the city, we have to have certain rules in place. It may seem cold and heartless but it’s what we have to do.”
Motorists took the ruse in stride when they realized they were receiving a turkey and not a traffic citation. “PECO used to give out hams,” said Joe “Blinky” Harvey, a former PECO supervisor, joking with Blair and Police Major Steven Gretsky as he accepted the first turkey given out for the day.
Monmouth County, N.J., native and four-year West End resident Anna Wellstead took the opportunity to speak with Councilman William “Al” Jacobs after receiving a turkey at the Lukoil station at Ninth and Highland. “I love my neighborhood… I want to do my part,” she said, accompanied by her dog Larry, one of several she has taken in. She discussed the need for animal rescues in the city and her desire to start one.
While moods were positive this year, the unconventional means of donating turkeys has brought up strong emotion in the past. “As long we don’t cause any accidents or heart attacks,” said Councilman William Morgan. “Last year a lady started tearing up. She never got a ticket before – which was still true.”
