Police Tickets for doing the Right thing.

[Fencergrl]

Police in Canada have started handing out tickets to kids who are doing the "right thing" wearing helmets, skateboarding in skateboard parks etc... They're positive tickets that the kids can redeem for pizza, free admission to events etc..

What do you think? Here's a link http://positivetickets.com

Here's an example of one.

[erik_blank]

I like the idea. I seem to remember a story like this in the Pittsburgh area also. I think that it will help to encourage kids that are still 'impressionable,' but unfortunatly it probably won't help oler kids that aren't wearing them now.

[jBirch]

I'm on the Youth Justic committee for our county and we are looking to introduce this concept here. The idea is that for most of us, the only contact we have with the police is when we're in trouble. The idea with the tickets is to add a positive encounter with them into the mix.

As somone who's worked a lot with kids, I don't think it's a very good idea. It instantly marks you as really uncool and probably sets you up for a beating. Ride alongs and citizen involvement programs are a better idea IMHO.

James.

[telkanuru]

I agree with James. If I got one of these, I'd be like "stupid old dude gave me free stuff, rock out" rather than "I am now inspired to be a better person".

[Fencergrl]

Where I have witnessed these positive tickets happening are with young kids. I think the police are looking to be viewed as more approachable. I like this approach. I also like seeing police liaisons in high schools. <shrug> anything that keeps cops from manning speed traps is a good thing.