Police in Prince Albert, Sask. have ramped up a ticketing campaign in their community. Rather than punishing local residents for breaking the law, however, the tickets are actually rewards for young people who do something good for the community.
Officers with the Prince Albert Police Service are ticketing youth who they observe engaging in "positive behaviour," such as picking up trash, shovelling a sidewalk or deterring crime. A youth can also be nominated to receive a ticket.
"Patrol members issue positive 'tickets' to youth who are nominated or observed doing something to better the community or themselves by making healthy, positive choices in relation to their behaviour, decisions or actions," the force says in a news release.
The tickets are, in fact, rewards in the form of coupons or gift certificates for things such as hamburgers, ice cream, movie tickets or seats at a local WHL game.
The ticket includes a note from the officer explaining why the youth deserved recognition.
The force says that by issuing the tickets, officers can develop a rapport with local youth. The ticketing campaign also "reinforces positive behaviour by offering something of value," the force says.
The Positive Ticketing Campaign, or a program like it, has appeared in a handful of cities across Canada including Richmond and Kelowna, B.C., Grande Prairie, Alta., and Toronto.
