Kids in Herndon Will Get Tickets This Summer — For Good Deeds

Summer is officially here, and Operation Chill is back! Officers will be handing out tickets to kids when they see positive behavior. pic.twitter.com/nzDvqP41DB

— Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) June 21, 2017

This summer, the Herndon Police Department is ticketing children.

The catch? Rather than punishing bad behavior, the tickets reward good behavior with a free 12-ounce 7-Eleven Slurpee at any participating store.

The program is called Operation Chill and has been around for more than 20 years. It includes hundreds of law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

“Operation Chill is a partnership between 7-Eleven and local law enforcement,” said Jane Ross, HPD public information specialist. “Its purpose is to encourage children to be good citizens and to help reduce crime and enhance relationships between police and youth.”

Whenever officers spot children engaging in model behavior, such as playing together nicely or cleaning up after themselves, officers will hand them tickets.

Millions of the Operation Chill tickets have been distributed nationwide in the program’s history. Officers will continue to give out tickets to children until they run out. The coupons are good through the end of the year.

“We love anything that can help that crossover between us and the kids,” Ross said. “All of our officers love interacting with the kids in the town. I think it’s one of their favorite things to do.”

(Note: According to Tawny Wright, public information officer for the Fairfax County Police Department, FCPD is not participating in Operation Chill this summer.)