Kids in the St. George area could be issued a ticket by the local Mounties this summer — if they’re on good behaviour.
St. George RCMP has launched a positive ticketing initiative to reward youth for good behaviour, such as wearing a bicycle helmet, observing road safety and doing various good deeds.
Mounties say when an officer stops to speak with the youth, they will receive a “positive ticket,” which they can redeem for a prize at a local business.
“This initiative is made possible thanks to the assistance from our community partners and local businesses,” said Lisa Williams, community program officer with the St. George RCMP, in a news release.
“Rewarding youth for positive actions is very important to us. It’s an opportunity for youth to interact with police officers in a positive way rather than only when bad things are happening.”
The RCMP says the positive ticketing initiative aims to build trust between youth and RCMP as a way of improving community relations and reducing youth criminality through positive interactions with police officers.
All youth who receive a ticket and pick up a prize will have their name entered into a draw for a grand prize at the end of August.