Florida Deputy Dresses up as Grinch, Hands out Onions to Speeding Drivers

A Florida deputy has found a novel way to go after speeding drivers this holiday season by dressing up as Dr. Seuss' favorite character, The Grinch, and handing out onions to motorists breaking the speed limit.

According to KRIS 6 News, the "Grinch" is patrolling the streets of Marathon, Florida, and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office is in support of its deputy's efforts.

In a video on its Facebook page, the sheriff's office said that with the help of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Grinch, they will "spread the word about traffic safety in the school zone and beyond."

Who Is the Grinch That Terrorizes Florida Speeders?

The deputy dressing up as The Grinch is Colonel Lou Caputo, who has been in the police force for 37 years. According to the Associated Press, he thought about the concept over 20 years ago and was back on the streets Tuesday.

Caputo, dressed as the Dr. Seuss character, is capturing drivers who travel about 5 mph or less above the school zone's speed limit. Drivers caught are then presented with a hard choice: receiving a citation or an onion. However, those who travel beyond that speed limit will receive an actual speeding ticket, which is costly.

Local 10 reported that what Caputo was doing was all about educating drivers so they would slow down near school zones. He said it was all about awareness and that they only want people to slow down near schools.

When asked why he does this, the man dressed up as The Grinch said: "It catches them off guard."

He noted that those caught speeding less than 5 mph above the speed limit always choose the onion. The deputy added that those who prefer the onion must eat the onion in front of him.

The Grinch

The Grinch is a character popularized by legendary children's book author Dr. Seuss. The character was introduced in the classic children's book, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," which has been adapted into various media, from audiobooks to animated movies to the big blockbuster Hollywood film starring Jim Carey as the Grinch.

The book follows the creature known as the Grinch, who hated Christmas so much that it decided to steal Christmas. It hatched a plan to steal all the Christmas presents, lights, trees, and ornaments to prevent the people of Whoville from celebrating the holiday. However, despite his actions, people in Whoville still got together and celebrated Christmas without all the things the Grinch stole.

The popular children's book was first published in 1957 and has remained a Christmas classic ever since.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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