Friday, June 28, 2013

It’s Cool To Be Kind

Parents, deputies want to ticket your kids this summer. But don’t worry; it’s a good thing.

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has partnered again with 7-Eleven to participate in Operation Chill. This program was started in 1995 as a way to reward and encourage good behavior to kids during the summertime.

Whenever a deputy sees a youngster performing a good deed such as wearing a bike helmet, going out of his or her way to help someone or giving back to the community, the deputy will hand out a coupon for a free 12-ounce Slurpee.

Youth Relations Bureau Captain Beth Jones said Operation Chill is a great tool deputies can use to develop relationships with the youth in our community, while at the same time teaching them the importance of making good decisions, being kind or doing the right thing.

Some places where deputies will be on “patrol” include local community and county parks, neighborhoods and beaches, and even during traffic stops when kids are found to be wearing their seat belts.