Operation Freeze 2016 - Positive Ticket Campaign
School may be out for the summer, but kids will still have the opportunity to learn that ‘doing the RIGHT thing’ is also the ‘COOL thing to do.’
Based on the simple philosophy that recognizing and rewarding youth for good behavior will inspire and motivate others to follow suit, Mac’s Convenience Stores (Mac’s) developed a positive youth relations program in 2007 designed to build relationships of trust between youth and police, while reducing incidents of crime at their stores.
Building on the Mac’s Positive Ticketing Program’s success in Ontario, the summer program Operation Freeze will be introduced in partnership with the Calgary Police Service to recognize youth who are observed doing random acts of kindness or exhibiting positive behavior. The ticket is actually a coupon valid for a free Small FROSTER™ beverage at all participating Mac’s stores across Alberta.
In addition to recognizing good behaviour by youth, Operation Freeze 2016 offers opportunities for Calgary police officers to interact with youth in a positive manner. Some police officers may use the coupons to recognize youth for wearing bicycle helmets, doing good deeds, participating in community activities, picking up trash, deterring crime or observing school crossing rules – while others may use the coupons as literal “icebreakers” to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area. The intention is to ensure that the “positive tickets” legitimately reinforce the positive behaviour exhibited by a youth, by offering something of value.
Though the reasons for being positive “ticketed” may vary, the end result of this youth positive ticketing initiative is the same for every youngster: a positive police experience and a free ice-cold Froster beverage!
“Mac’s strives to be a leader in community engagement” said Bonnie Birollo, Vice President Mac’s Western Canada. “We are very excited about Operation Freeze and the positive message it delivers.”
“As police officers, it is really important for us to show young people that we are there to help them and serve the community” said Sergeant Brett Hodel, Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Unit. “Getting the opportunity to reward positive behaviour though things like Operation Freeze is a great way for us to encourage young people to do the right thing, while also giving them positive experiences with the police.”
Since the introduction of the Mac’s Positive Ticketing Program in the summer of 2007, more than 1.1Million Operation Freeze and Operation Heat coupons have been strategically issued by police to recognize and motivate youth for positive behavior.
Learn more about Mac’s Convenience Stores Crime Prevention initiatives at www.MacsCrimeBusters.com and learn more about the Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Unit at www.calgarypolice.ca.
