This winter, OPP officers plan to hand-out more tickets than usual — but in this case, it's good thing!
Officers who observe young people performing random acts of kindness or exhibiting positive behaviour this winter will recognize that young person with a "positive ticket."
The ticket is actually a coupon valid for a free hot chocolate at all participating Mac's Convenience Stores across Ontario.
It's called Operation Heat and the province-wide campaign kicked off at the Mac's in Chelmsford on Nov. 2.
École Publique Pavillon-De-L'Avenir Grade 7 student Jacob Chouinard received a positive ticket two summers ago as part of the summer program put on by the OPP called Operation Freeze.
"I was biking around with my friends and the police gave us tickets for a free slushy because we were wearing our helmets," Chouinard said.
In addition to recognizing good behaviour by youth, Operation Heat promotes opportunities for OPP officers to interact with youth in a positive manner.
"It really builds a positive connection with youth," OPP community mobilization Sgt. Avery Bassett said.
"It breaks the ice with the kids and they can think about what a great connection they had with the police officer, and maybe that keeps them on that nice path opposed to going down a potential negative path down the road."
Officers will be using the tickets to recognize youth for doing good deeds like holding the door open for someone, picking up trash, pro-actively deterring crime or observing school crossing rules.
