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Well, things just became a bit easier for a few Belizeans because of a "Secret Santa", who today partnered with police to surprise a few lucky commuters with a Christmas ham. Cherisse Halsall was there:

It's something you get used to seeing every year, increased and more vigilant checkpoints along the highway, to snag smugglers, outlaws, and drivers whose papers aren't in order.

This morning it may have looked like regular checkpoints to drivers and commuters, but it wasn't:

Alden Dawson, ACP-OC Eastern division
"Today is a different kind of police activity. We were approached by a good samaritan who asked us to look at the people who appear to be less fortunate that are traveling on the bus out of the city and to give them a ham."

"Well I guess he feels that he should be giving something back to the citizens of Belize and we are grateful to be part of it as we encounter the citizens on a regular basis, on a daily basis so to speak in a different capacity."

"It comes as a surprise and you know around this time you tend to spend more money than usual because of the festivities and so it comes in very handy."

"I have seen some reactions where people get really excited and really get worked up."

"We are all happy and glad that we could be giving something around this time to people who need more than others."

And while the police were being good samaritans on one side of the road they didn't let up on ticketing the other side.

These people were more than a bit tense when they were called down from their bus to face ACP Dawson.

Ham recipient #1
"I feel nice and well and I thank you."

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"What did you think when they took you off the bus?"

Ham recipient #1
"I think there was some obstruction against me, but I didn't know, because the police man saw me sitting down."

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"What did you think when they took you off the bus?"

Ham recipient #2
"Well I was a little scared, but I thought maybe they were going tp search my bags."

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"We saw your reaction when the police man handed you the ham. How did that feel?"

Ham recipient #2
"Well I was quite surprise and very happy, so now I know I will be eating ham for Christmas."

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"Who are you going to share the ham with?"

Ham recipient #2
"With my daughter and probably my neighbors."

This senior citizen took his being singled out as an opportunity to chide the cops on how to better carry out their duties, that is until he got his ham.

Ham recipient #3
"I wish that the police they do a better job this year and get all the criminals off the streets and that they don't stay behind their desks and just write."

"Well I feel good. It came before the time, so I will make use of it too as well."

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"Were these officers hassling you?"

Ham recipient #3
"Well it look like this at first, but I didn't know it was this they were giving, so I feel good for them."

Reporter
"How did you feel when they took you out of the bus?"

Ham recipient #3
"Well I felt very bad. I wanted to know if I look like an alien. I know I am not an alien."

And while it was all in good fun some citizens didn't enjoy the experience.

And others had to take a moment to recover from their expectation run-in with the law.

Cherisse Halsall, reporter
"How did you feel?"

Ham Recipient #4
"I feel like something was wrong they way how they approached and the police didn't even smile with me, he was serious."

ACP Dawson and his team gave out over 20 hams to members of the public. The effort continues tomorrow in a town in the north.