A lot of youngsters across the province will be doing their best to earn a free hot chocolate this winter.
The OPP launched it's 2015 'Operation Heat' at the Mac's Convenience Store in Mitchell Thursday. It's what they call a "positive ticketing program."
Students and teachers from Upper Thames Elementary School, municipal officials, police services board members, Mac’s corporate representatives, OPP officers, and other members of the community attended the event.
OPP officers across the province will be trying to catch a young person participating in an act of kindness this winter. The youth will receive a "positive ticket," that can be redeemed for a free regular hot chocolate at any Mac's Convenience Store.
The theme is "Youth demonstrating positive actions, positive behaviour and showing acts of kindness toward others."
A youth can receive a "positive ticket" from an officer for a number of positive behaviours: • doing a good deed • participating in community activities • demonstrating community pride, ie picking up trash • deterring crime or observing school crossing rules • an officer on patrol may use it as an "icebreaker" to establish a rapport with kids.
"I was very pleased to see the effectiveness of these campaigns, when almost half of the youth at today’s event raised their hand when asked if they had ever been a recipient of a positive ticket," says Perth County OPP Inspector Steve Porter. "This program allows OPP officers to interact with young people and build relations that will last for years to come."
