Kids to Be ‘Ticketed’ for Good Behavior

Patrol officers of the West Valley LAPD division may be stepping up the number of youths they stop on the streets in the next few months.

But for some of the kids, instead of getting a lecture, they will receive rewards from the officers--for practicing random acts of kindness.

“If we see a youth that is doing something good, whatever it is, we’ll call them over and give them a coupon for a free Slurpee,” Sgt. Russ Bolton said at the kick-off news conference for “Operation Chill” at a Canoga Park 7-Eleven store.

Operation Chill, sponsored by the convenience store chain, was established nationwide two years ago to recognize children for doing well. The West Valley Division received 10,000 of the total 370,000 “tickets” available this year, to be redeemed for a 12-ounce Slurpee.

The first recipients of the coupons were two dozen children taking part in the division’s Keep Youth Doing Something program at nearby Lanark Park.

“These kids came to mind for me right away,” Bolton said. “They aren’t in gangs and they are at risk due to the place where they live. They do their homework, go to school and they sign a contract with their parents and with the police that they won’t get in trouble.”

A hot pink, sweet and tart mixture of cherry and lime was the overwhelming favorite of the two Slurpee flavor choices for the KYDS members.

The youngsters said that while doing well in school and obeying their parents are not always easy, their behavior will have its benefits.

“When we grow up, we can tell our kids that we didn’t go to jail or do drugs and stuff,” said Julio Iraheta, 12. “It’ll be easier to make them good too.”

And others said their motivation for doing well is also pretty basic. “If we’re good, we can have a good future,” said 9-year-old Travis Hodge. “And we can be rich.”