ATHABASCA – Community peace officers from both the town and county are teaming up with RCMP in Athabasca and Boyle as well as other first responders throughout the region to recognize some of the good deeds they see as they go about their usual business.
The Positive Ticketing Program is officially underway in the Athabasca region, and as the name suggests, getting one of these tickets is actually a good thing.
“We're on the lookout for kids who are making good choices, and helping to improve the community,” said Athabasca County community peace officer (CPO) Kevin Rowan in an interview Aug. 25.
Rowan and Town of Athabasca CPO Brian Bandura, and their program partners are already handing out positive tickets to the kids they see making a difference, whether it be in their own circle of friends, or in the community as a whole.
“So, from here, you will be seeing us more often when school starts … Some of the things that we're looking for are kids who are wearing helmets to school, kids who are helping other kids cross the street, and just generally demonstrating a positive attitude, such as picking up garbage, or helping somebody else, that kind of stuff,” Rowan said. “So, it's very general, but it's very important. This is our chance to reward that positive behaviour and let kids know that we appreciate what they are doing.”
Many businesses around the region are also chipping in with prizes for those who have been ticketed, including a grand prize that will be drawn for in December. That was an easy sell for Rowan, as most were happy to be involved in something positive and community-minded for the kids.
What that grand prize may be, you’ll have to stay tuned.
“Every kid that has received a positive ticket will be entered into that draw in December, and that draw will take place just before Christmas,” Rowan said. “We hope to continue on through the rest of the year, have our grand prize, and then probably start up again next spring and this is going to be a yearly thing.”
And as much as the program is about recognizing good deeds in the community, it’s also about starting and maintaining a good relationship with future generations.
“This program also ensures positive interactions with kids, improving and fostering good relations as well. Also, and I find this part to be the most important, is the program also makes sure that personnel and enforcement officers, etcetera, are more approachable,” said Rowan.
