Hawkesbury OPP officers will be handing out more tickets to people aged 16 and under, but for doing good things.
If a police officer notices a youth doing random acts of kindness or exhibiting positive behaviour in the community, they will be rewarded for it.
According to Detachment Commander, Inspector Chris McGillis, officers in those situations will issue a Positive Ticket to youths. The program was announced on March 29.
When a youth receives a Positive Ticket, they can take it to the OPP detachment building at 1425 Cameron Street in Hawkesbury and redeem it for a $5 gift card valid at McDonald’s and Tim Hortons.
The reasons OPP officers will issue Positive Tickets to young people include if they see them practicing personal safety, such as wearing a bicycle helmet or properly observing school or pedestrian crossings, doing various good deeds, participating in community activities, showing community pride such as picking up trash, and deterring crime. Officers will also issue Positive Tickets as a way of establishing a rapport with the youth in their patrol areas.
McGillis said the Positive Ticket program is designed to reduce stigmas and barriers that exist between the police and the community.
“That’s what I feel is the most important thing, to break down the barriers,” agreed Hawkesbury Police Services Board Chair Robert Lefebvre.
The police services board contributed $500 to help start the program in Hawkesbury. Positive Tickets have been issued in other communities across Ontario by OPP officers, but the program is new to Hawkesbury.
Lefebvre said community programs like Positive Tickets work in Hawkesbury because of the dedication of the detachment’s personnel.
“Because of the people we have here, we’re out there,” he said.
Hawkesbury OPP officers will be issuing Positive Tickets to youth aged 16 and under as a reward for showing respect for safety and the community. The program was announced on March 29. From left to right: Hawkesbury OPP mascot Constable Rosie, Hawkesbury OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Chris McGillis, Hawkesbury Police Services Board Chair Robert Lefebvre, OPP Constable Kenneth Gray, and OPP Constable Alain Potvin. Photo: James Morgan
