Usually, receiving a ticket from RCMP can ruin someone’s day. But thanks to Operation Freeze, police are handing tickets out to youth to reward positive behaviour. “We were aware of the program that was happening in Calgary and…reached out to Airdrie RCMP, who agreed to partner with us, as well as Mac’s/Circle K Convenience Stores to launch the positive ticketing program in Airdrie,” said Cheryl Cresine, manager of youth services with the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA). This nation-wide program rewards youth who do something positive in the community – no matter how small – with vouchers they can redeem at Mac’s/Circle K for free cold beverages in the summer and hot drinks in the winter. “If you see a kid doing something really awesome, [our outreach workers] can give him or her a ticket. If RCMP sees a kid doing something really great in the community, they’ll give him or her a ticket,” Cresine said. “It’s a way to bridge that relationship between RCMP and the youth, so they can see RCMP are here to make a difference and youth shouldn’t be scared of them.” While news reports are often full of negative stories about young people, Cresine said, this program will allow youth engaging in positive efforts to be rewarded. “This is a way to get it out to the community and to the youth that, hey, we’re recognizing the positive that you are doing, as well, and this is your reward for doing it,” she said. “The hope is that once this gets out into the community, when someone sees a youth doing something positive, they can give that feedback.” The ongoing partnership with RCMP will run year-round and, Cresine said, BGCA is excited to see how it impacts the community. The organization’s youth outreach workers and youth engagement worker will also have vouchers to hand out when they see youth doing something positive – anything from helping a senior to picking up litter. “This is a great opportunity for officers to recognize positive behaviour and build relationships with youth in our community,” said Cst. Morley Statchuk, Airdrie RCMP school resource officer. “Engaging our community, especially youth, only helps to empower them to make a positive difference.” Operation Freeze launches Nov. 7 with a special event at the Mac’s Convenience Store on First Avenue N.W. at 1 p.m., and residents are invited to come and take part. “We are very pleased to partner with Airdrie RCMP and [BGCA], and to have the opportunity to be part of a positive impact in our community by rewarding youth recognized by police,” said Sherry Coey, security and loss prevention manager with Mac’s/Circle K Convenience Stores.
