Mankato Public Safety brings back program for vouchers for faulty lights

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The City of Mankato approved a participation agreement between the Department of Public Safety and the Lights On! MN program on Monday, March 23.

Officer Colin Johnson says that the city started participating in Lights On!’s voucher program full time in 2024, allowing officers to assist with repairs for drivers with a faulty headlights, taillights, and brake lights rather than give them a ticket.

The program went on a hiatus in July, 2025 due to a lack of funding from the state.

Now that it is back, this initial agreement will provide the department with 100 vouchers, each worth up to $250 in repairs at participating mechanics.

Johnson says that now that it is back, police officers are excited to have the option again, so that stops like these can focus more on maintenance and road safety that might otherwise be cost prohibitive to some drivers.

“It gives us a positive interaction with that person rather than stopping them and issuing a citation. Some people can see it as an annoyance being stopped out on the road, but we see it as a safety factor, making sure you’re being safe out on the road,” Johnson said.

Now that the agreement has been approved Johnson says the vouchers are already in use by Mankato’s police department.

Vouchers are accepted by several repair shops including Miller Motors, Express Auto Service and Repair, and Rock Street Auto.

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