Florida Cop Dresses Up as the Grinch — and Hands Out Onions to Some Speeding Drivers

Abigail Adams

15 December 2022 at 4:38 pm·2-min read

a Maryland motorist, left, accepts an onion instead of a traffic citation from Monroe County Sheriff's Office Colonel Lou Caputo, right, costumed as the Grinch, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Marathon, Fla.

Florida Keys News Bureau A motorist accepting an onion instead of a traffic citation from Lou Caputo

The Grinch is on the lookout for speeding drivers in one part of southern Florida this holiday season — and he has a special surprise for some of those caught breaking the law.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is once again conducting speed checks in a Marathon school zone ahead of the holidays, according to the Associated Press.

Those caught going 5 mph or less above the school zone's speed limit must deal with the Grinch — played by MSCO Colonel Lou Caputo — who offers them a choice between a traffic citation or an onion.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office Colonel Lou Caputo, right, costumed as the Grinch, leans on the shoulder of Deputy Andrew Leird, left, as he uses a laser speed detector to check speeds of motorists traveling through a school zone on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Marathon, Fla.

Florida Keys News Bureau (L-R) Colonel Lou Caputo and Deputy Andrew Leird

"It catches them off guard," Caputo told the AP. "But when I give them a clear choice of a citation or the onion, they will take the onion."

Some violators have even opted to "eat the onion right in front of me," he added.

Caputo, a 37-year MCSO veteran, came up with the idea to dress up as the beloved character over 20 years ago, per the AP.

Lou Caputo, right, costumed as the Grinch, watches Sgt. Greg Korzan, left, as he uses a laser speed detector to check speeds of motorists traveling through a school zone on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Marathon, Fla

Florida Keys News Bureau Lou Caputo watches Sgt. Greg Korzan use a speed detector

The now-annual tradition is aimed at educating drivers about speeding in a school zone, according to the Florida Keys & Key West Facebook page. It also serves as a reminder that Keys schools remain open through Dec. 16.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a video shared Tuesday on the MCSO's Facebook page, Deputy Andrew Lierd said officials are "trying to spread the word about traffic safety in the school zone, and beyond."

"We want everybody to arrive alive and get home safely to their families," he added.

Lou Caputo, left, costumed as the Grinch, and Deputy Andrew Leird, right, wave at a school bus rolling on the Florida Keys Overseas Highway Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Marathon, Fla

Florida Keys News Bureau Monroe County Sheriff's Office Colonel Lou Caputo dressed as the Grinch

Caputo told the AP that officials simply "want people to slow down" in school zones.

"It's about education, awareness that our school zones are still operating even though it's the holiday season," he added.

Manchester Evening News
Rylan Clark says 'this is what I look like' as he ditches black locks and makeup as fans react
The BBC Radio 2 star has shown fans what he really looks like as he prepared for a 'reset'
HuffPost UK
Trevor Phillips Destroys Nigel Farage With One Devastating Question
The Reform UK leader rejected the accusation that his party is a home for racists.
Manchester Evening News
Roy Keane's crude four-word ITV remark leaves Man United icon Gary Neville stunned
Roy Keane has been a prominent figure in the ITV studio throughout Euro 2024 and he was at it again with a hilarious quip in the build-up to England's last 16 clash
The Telegraph
Woman charged after video allegedly showed prison officer having sex with inmate
A woman has been charged after a video emerged that allegedly showed a prison officer having sex with an inmate in a jail cell.
The Telegraph
‘I’m not going to buy electric again – it’s the worst car I’ve ever had’
Ray Bestwick bought an electric car last May in the hope of hassle-free motoring.
Manchester Evening News
Spanish police WON'T say if club altercation over 'wealthy man's missing designer watch' is linked to Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife
It comes as the search for Jay Slater around the Masca areas is called off
The Telegraph
Democrats creating path for Joe Biden to make ‘dignified’ exit
Democrats are laying the groundwork for Joe Biden to make a “dignified” exit from the presidential race.
OK! Magazine
Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer finally reveals baby daughter's name
Lady Kitty Spencer has finally revealed the unique name she's chosen for her baby daughter in a sweet new post on Instagram, as royal fans gush over the 'beautiful' moniker
Bournemouth Echo UK
UK to be hit by second heatwave in a matter of days from Mediterranean airstream
The UK is set for a second heatwave this summer as weather forecasters suggest Mediterranean airstream will bring hot weather.
OK! Magazine
Carol McGiffin's blunt 4-word statement on friends Ruth and Eamonn split
Former Loose Woman Carol McGiffin has opened up with her true thoughts about Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes' split - two people she is friends with and admits she 'loves' equally
CNN
Russia wants to confront NATO but dares not fight it on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
When someone tried – and failed – to burn down a bus garage in Prague earlier this month, the unsuccessful arson attack didn’t draw much attention. Until, that is, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala revealed it was “very likely” that Moscow was behind it.
Manchester Evening News
Footage shows out-of-control XL Bully being chased by armed cops before being shot dead following horror attack on woman
GMP said the dog had to be destroyed 'as the last possible option'
The Telegraph
Old, rich and living on benefits: welcome to the state pension capital of Britain
East Preston feels an unlikely stronghold of benefits dependency. The genteel village on the West Sussex coast might be the closest thing that Britain has to a moneyed pensioner utopia.
OK! Magazine
Shania Twain's Glastonbury set leaves fans complaining she's 'been thrown under the bus'
Glastonbury viewers were left disappointed by Shania Twain's performance at the music festival as they took to social media to declare the icon had been 'thrown under the bus'
Manchester Evening News
'I gave up Diet Coke for a month and I couldn't believe how it transformed my life'
Paul Turner was stunned by the results
The Independent
Led by Donkeys interrupt Nigel Farage speech by lowering huge Putin banner
Nigel Farage was initially unaware that the Russian president was on the poster, with the words ‘I heart Nigel’ written below
The Telegraph
Prince Harry award challenged by family of war hero
The decision to give the Duke of Sussex a sports award named after an American war hero killed in Afghanistan has been criticised by the soldier’s mother.
HuffPost UK
Rishi Sunak Left Squirming As He's Confronted With Ordinary People's Lives In Tory Britain
The prime minister had insisted life was "better" now than when the party came to power in 2010.
The Guardian
London Pride: Sadiq Khan leads 32,000 marchers through capital
Annual LBGTQ+ celebration takes place with march between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square
The Telegraph
What are Marine Le Pen’s plans for France?
After Marine Le Pen’s National Rally walloped Emmanuel Macron in the first round of voting in the French elections, there is a real chance France could be governed by a hard-Right party for the first time since the Second World War.

Latest stories