Young people in Sherwood Park, Alta. will be rewarded for good behaviour or helping others through a new ticketing campaign.
“Strathcona County RCMP and Strathcona County Recreation, Parks and Culture have teamed up to create a positive ticket for youngsters who are observed following the law or doing a good deed in our community,” Const. Chantelle Kelly said.
“This could range from wearing a bike helmet, crossing at a crosswalk, picking up litter or helping a resident in need.”
Anyone who gets a ticket will be given single drop-in access to a rec centre (Millennium Place, Ardrossan Recreation Complex, Kinsmen Leisure Centre or Glen Allan Recreation Complex).
“Together, the RCMP and Strathcona County saw this as an opportunity to reward those who make healthy, positive choices in relation to their behaviour, decisions and actions,” Sue Hutton, manager with Recreation, Parks & Culture, said.
It’s also an opportunity to build relationships between officers and youth, she said.
The positive ticket campaign will continue all summer.
Members of the Strathcona County RCMP Bike Patrol Unit and Patrol Units will be keeping an eye out for positive behaviour.
READ MORE: Police hand out ‘positive tickets’ to reward Good Samaritans
Police in Toronto tried a similar campaign several years ago.
Officers in the 42 Division gave away “positive tickets” to people who performed good deeds in the neighbourhood.
The positive tickets came with coupons for free products from sponsors.
“I was like, ‘what is a positive ticket?’” Toronto resident Keishawonna Mayenge said. “When I hear police I always think people get tickets for negative things.”
Officers hoped the approach would help create stronger communities and build trust between citizens and police.
READ MORE: New Brunswick police force hands out ‘positive tickets’ to residents
New Brunswick police also brought in a Positive Ticket Campaign earlier this year.
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