If you’re planning on drunk driving around Prince Edward Island this holiday season, be ready to hear a whole lot of Nickelback when you’re caught.
The Kensington Police Service, which serves the Canadian maritime province and its 146,000 residents, posted to Facebook over the weekend a threatening message that warns any apprehended drunk drivers will be forced to listen to the Alberta band’s 2001 album Silver Side Up in the squad car en route to the station.
On cassette.
“[K]now that the Kensington Police Service will be out for the remainder of year looking for those dumb enough to feel they can drink and drive,” they write. “And when we catch you, and we will catch you, on top of a hefty fine, a criminal charge and a years driving suspension we will also provide you with a bonus gift of playing the office’s copy of Nickelback in the cruiser on the way to jail. Now, now, no need to thank us, we figure if you are foolish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking then a little Chad Kroeger and the boys is the perfect gift for you. So please, lets not ruin a perfectly good unopened copy of Nickelback. You don’t drink and drive and we won’t make you listen to it.”
It sounds like a decent trade-off, but not everyone was amused. One commentor, Deborah Baker, took issue with this type of Nickelback ridicule — especially coming from Canadian authorities.
“I find this offensive, especially from Police in Canada,” Baker contends. “The lack of support for Canadian bands in general but especially Nickelback is disgusting. Nickelback has millions of fans all around the world. Nickelback gives back to communities, as recently evidenced by their support due to the Fort Mac fires. #sorrynotsorry but this isn’t cute or funny. Jealous of their success? If you want to trash someone, at least pick someone worthy like Kanye.”
After some good natured back-and-forth (this is Canada, after all), Kensington Police Service admitted they don’t actually hate Nickleback.
“We are just using a different approach to get an age old message communicated,” they write. “And if we tongue in cheekly use a multi million dollar internationally successful band as that messages vessel… Well, as long as it starts the don’t drink and drive dialogue, we’re happy with that.”
Since their message has been picked up by the BBC, the NME, New York Daily News and other media companies around the world, we’ll say their approach appears to be a success.
This is how you remind people — to not drink and drive.