Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Officers issue ‘tickets’ for good behavior
The tickets from Coatesville police were then turned in for a gift
Sometimes receiving a ticket from a police officer can “create some smiles on unsuspecting kids’ faces.”
COATESVILLE >> Sometimes receiving a ticket from a police officer can “create some smiles on unsuspecting kids’ faces.”
The Coatesville Police Department rewarded local youths for their good behavior in a way to help them in time for the holidays.
Approximately 100 children received holiday shopper dollars from Coatesville police officers after being “caught doing something right.” The “tickets” were redeemable for a gift card for themselves or a loved one. The majority of the gifts were donated by the Chester County FOP Lodge #11.
“It’s a nice way of spreading holiday cheer while recognizing pro-social behavior,” said Sgt. Rodger Ollis, of the Coatesville Police Department.
The shopper dollars, created by the police, are in the shape of bill currency with the police department seal surrounded by poinsettias. Officers issued the shopper dollars to children who were “caught doing something right.” The recipients later came to police department at 1 City
Hall to purchase items in the gift shop.
Ollis coordinated the department initiative that is one of the community policing activities the city officers do. He added that the program is only possible with the desire and willingness by the officers to participate.
The causes for rewards vary among the youths. Police said a fourth grade student visited the gift shop at the police department after she earned holiday shopper dollars for her grades. The police explained that last year had been challenging for her, and this year she showed them her report card consisting of straight A’s.
“It was nice to recognize her achievement,” Ollis said.
The city officers visited the Gordon Early Literacy Center and issued tickets to students for working hard on their school work, being respectful and making good choices.
The officers began the program last year with “offenses” resulting in tickets including: using pedestrian crosswalks, being a positive role model, proper waste disposal, driving safely, helping someone, property maintenance and more.
Ollis said extra gifts were donated to families in need and distributed randomly by officers on Friday and Saturday in an effort to “create some smiles on unsuspecting kids’ faces.” Pastor Jonathan Rodriguez, one of the police department chaplains, helped the police to pick up toys for delivery to several families in need.