In a light-hearted take on Valentine’s Day, police departments across the United States are encouraging citizens to report their exes who have outstanding warrants. The Uxbridge Police Department in Massachusetts sparked this trend with a playful social media post featuring a poem that depicts reporting an ex as a way to celebrate the day. The poem begins with a humorous twist, "Roses are red, violets are blue, if your ex has a warrant, we’ve got something special for you," effectively blending humor with a serious civic duty.

The post humorously suggests that turning in an ex-partner with a warrant could be the ultimate Valentine's Day gift, complete with a "ride with flashing lights and guaranteed closure.” Accompanied by a heart-covered flyer, the department creatively emphasized the ongoing issues of outstanding warrants while providing a light-hearted distraction from traditional Valentine’s gifting. The flyer stated, "We can’t fix your love life, but we can help with outstanding warrants," thus reinforcing the playful nature of the campaign.

This unique approach encapsulates how police departments can engage with community members in unconventional ways. While the overall intention is to encourage citizens to assist law enforcement in locating individuals with warrants, the humorous framing may also foster community solidarity and alleviate some stigma often associated with law enforcement interactions. By using humor, these departments are not only addressing public safety but also creating a memorable narrative around Valentine’s Day that blends humor with civic responsibility.