OPP Turning up the Heat in Support of Ontario Youth

(Dufferin County, ON)Kids caught in the act of doing the right thing this winter won't be given "the cold shoulder" by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) thanks to a continued partnership with Mac's Convenience Stores across Ontario.

Operation Heat 2012 recognizes positive behaviour by Ontario youth in a very warm way…with a warm and delicious treat!


Building on this past summer's highly successful Operation Freeze 2012, OPP officers who observe local youth doing random acts of kindness or exhibiting positive behavior this winter will again be able to recognize that young person with a "ticket" which is actually a coupon valid for a free hot chocolate beverage valid at all participating Mac's stores across Ontario.

In addition to recognizing good behaviour, Operation Heat promotes opportunities for OPP officers to interact with youth in a positive manner in support of the OPP Positive Ticketing

Program. Officers may use the coupons to recognize youth for doing good deeds, participating in community activities, picking up trash, pro-actively deterring crime or observing safe-street crossing rules. Officers can also make use of the coupons as literal "icebreakers" to establish a dialogue with kids in their patrol area.

Though the reasons for issuing the coupons may vary, the end result of this youth positive ticketing initiative is the same for each youngster: a positive police - community interaction experience and a free hot chocolate beverage!

"The OPP is pleased to once again participate in this highly successful initiative that recognizes youth for responsible and caring behaviour," said OPP Inspector Leslie Craig, Commander, OPP Crime Prevention Section. "The OPP Positive Ticketing Program challenges our members to catch Ontario's youth "in the act of doing right" and encouraging such behaviour through positive reinforcement. Engaging our business communities in support of youth programs helps make our communities stronger."

"Operation Heat provides law enforcement with an additional tool to initiate communication and reward our youth in a positive way", says Sean Sportun - Manager, Loss Prevention & Security for Mac's in Central Canada. "Mac's strives to be a leader in crime prevention and we are very excited about this new initiative and the positive message it helps deliver."

Since the OPP Positive Ticketing Program's inception in the summer of 2010, more than 300, 000 Operation Freeze and Operation Heat coupons have been used to recognize youth for positive behaviour across Ontario. During the upcoming winter months, over 60,000 Operation Heat coupons will be presented to kids by OPP officers across Ontario.

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.

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