Operation Freeze 2012: Investing in Ontario youth provides positive returns

(Dufferin County, ON) School may be out for the summer, but kids will still have the opportunity to learn from a popular Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) youth program.

Recognizing the importance of supporting a child's thirst for knowledge, Operation Freeze 2012 was developed in partnership with Mac's Convenience Stores encouraging kids to learn that "doing the right thing" is also the "cool thing to do".


Building on the recent success experienced through this winter's Operation Heat 2011 initiative, OPP Detachments will again be engaged in the "positive ticketing of young people" who are observed doing random acts of kindness or exhibiting positive behaviour. The ticket is actually a coupon valid for a free 710 ml Froster beverage at all participating Mac's stores across Ontario.

"Mac's strives to be a leader in crime prevention" said Sean Sportun - Manager, Loss Prevention & Security for Mac's in Central Canada. "We are very excited about Operation Freeze and the positive message it delivers."

"The OPP is pleased to once again participate in this highly successful initiative that recognizes youth for responsible and caring behaviour," said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis. The level of support from our media communities and positive feedback from our front line officers and youth continues to be amazing. Partnering with local business and engaging our youth in a positive manner builds partnerships that make our communities stronger."

In addition to recognizing good behaviour by youth, Operation Freeze 2012 offers opportunities for OPP officers to interact with youth in a positive manner. In support of the OPP Positive Ticketing Program, some police officers may again use the coupons to recognize youth for wearing bicycle helmets, doing good deeds, participating in community activities, picking up trash, deterring crime or observing school crossing rules - while others may use the coupons as literal "icebreakers" to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area. The intention is to ensure that the "Positive Tickets" legitimately reinforce the positive behaviour exhibited by a youth, by offering something of value.

Since the introduction of the OPP Positive Ticketing Program in the summer of 2010, more than 300,000 Operation Freeze and Operation Heat coupons have been strategically issued by OPP to recognize and motivate Ontario's youth for positive behaviour.

In addition to its outstanding public awareness, education and community engagement benefits, the personal impact achieved one youth at a time, by an OPP officer issuing a positive ticket to a child, remains priceless.

For further information:

Inspector Leslie Craig
Manager, Crime Prevention Section
(705) 329 - 6435

Mr. Sean Sportun
Manager,
Loss Prevention & Security
Mac's Convenience Stores, Inc Central Canada
(416) 904 - 3805

Learn more at the OPP Crime Prevention Section, Community Issues Internet site @ www.opp.ca