'Caught By A Cop' Rewards Canton Kids Who Make Positive Decisions

CANTON, GA -- Another community outreach program by the Canton Police Department targeting the area's youth is well underway.

Caught by a Cop involves issuing "tickets" to local kids. Of course, these aren't citations related to violations of the law; this program involves rewarding children through "positive contact with officers," the department said.

Canton officers will be on the look out for youth making good decisions, and will reward them with a certificate and coupon for a treat donated by a local restaurant. Children may be given "tickets" for such things as wearing a seat belt or bike helmet, looking both ways before crossing the street or just good manners.

Each officer will be searching the city to issue a child at least one “ticket” per shift.

“Our officers don’t have a quota on how many tickets they issue per month, but they will be enforcing good behavior," Chief Mark Mitchell said. “It all starts with the children in our community. We want kids to trust us, not be scared and run to our officers in times of need or engagement.”

Operation Caught by a Cop will last throughout the summer and into the school year.

Image via Stan Oliver, Canton police volunteer