Car owner's 'safe choices' earns 'pity' from parking officer

June 15 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin police department shared the story of how a would-be drunken driver's "safe choices" helped them avoid a parking ticket.

The Wausau Police Department shared a photo Mondayon Facebook of a note parking control officer Jim Hellrood found on a car that had been left overnight in a metered lot.

"Please take pity on me," the note reads. "I walked home... safe choices!"

The note, which also included a drawing of a smiley face, was successful -- Hellrood left his own note on the car, reading: "Pity granted, just a warning."

"Parking Control Officer Jim Hellrood can appreciate people making safe choices, and a good sense of humor," the Facebook post said. "That's why he recently issued a warning to a vehicle left in a metered lot overnight."