Police tried to share some friendly traffic advice using the popular Roll Safe meme, but its attempt completely backfired after Twitter hit back with some memes of its own,
The DC Police Department Twitter account posted a photo of a red light, in which Hood Documentary character Reece Simpson is grinning and pointing to his temple can be seen, with the message: “If you don’t run a red light, then you can’t get a ticket.”
If you don't run a red light, then you can't get a ticket. pic.twitter.com/IJ8QgMmhDk
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) February 9, 2017
However, many of the police’s 148,000 followers weren’t too impressed with its practical yet questionably-delivered advice, and began trolling the Washington police with Roll Safe memes of their own.
@DCPoliceDept: it's not illegal if you don't get caught pic.twitter.com/9mZNVdpzwj
— Tonio (@615tonio) February 9, 2017
@DCPoliceDept if y'all don't pull us over we won't get a ticket pic.twitter.com/70YzruAD8K
— Issa King ?? (@king_carre) February 9, 2017
@DCPoliceDept Can't get a ticket if you don't pullover pic.twitter.com/C5LVlUcRu6
— Zay?? (@Zayso6) February 12, 2017
@DCPoliceDept if you download @waze then you know where the red light cameras are. pic.twitter.com/1nDjBPtK7t
— yosef. (@JoeRobTHAGOD_) February 9, 2017
The trolling took a dark turn when tweeters began using the meme to highlight the controversial topic of the number of deaths caused by police guns in America.According to the Washington Post, 963 Americans were shot and killed by police in 2016.
@DCPoliceDept if you don't shoot them, they don't die pic.twitter.com/RRT5folcp3
— ???? (@Nabz_14) February 10, 2017
@DCPoliceDept If we're unarmed/not a threat, then don't shoot us. pic.twitter.com/uT4ArmUt7p
— Steevo (@__cityslicker) February 10, 2017
.@DCPoliceDept the victim can't defend themself in court if they're already dead. pic.twitter.com/B6uPhK56IN
— X (@XLNB) February 10, 2017
The tweet was probably not one of the best decisions made by DC Police Department, but it’s a lesson learned.
