The Stratford RCMP has launched a positive ticketing initiative that will run for the rest of the summer, and rewards youth for good behaviour.
This summer, the RCMP has partnered with one of Stratford’s newest businesses, What’s The Scoop Dairy Bar, to hand out tickets for free ice cream to youth demonstrating good behaviour. What’s The Scoop is one of the many businesses in Stratford where the RCMP has developed a strong relationship. Because of this relationship, the owners of What’s The Scoop were excited to provide the RCMP with the ice cream tickets.
“We wanted to have a little something in our police cars this summer to reward kids when we see them obeying the law and being good citizens,” says Cst. Bryce Haight with the Stratford RCMP. “For example, if we see kids wearing their helmets while biking or skateboarding, crossing the street at a cross walk or putting their seatbelts on when they get into a vehicle without being prompted by their parents, we will give them a ticket for a free ice cream.”
The positive ticketing initiative is a proactive program aiming to build trust between youth and the RCMP. The objective of the program is to improve community relations and reduce youth criminality through positive interactions with police officers.
“I love passing out these ice cream tickets to kids”, says Cst. Haight. “It gives us an opportunity to interact with them in a positive way. The kids get a free ice cream and see that we are approachable, and a new business gets to meet more community members when they come to claim their tickets. It’s a win, win, win.”
