Joint Wayne Gift Card Program Is Growing

WAYNE, NJ — Four more township businesses are rewarding kids for doing the right thing.

The businesses are the first to join the Kids Caught Doing The Right Thing initiative, a joint venture between the Police Department and local businesses that rewards kids who police see doing good, such as wearing a helmet when riding their bikes or crossing the street at a crosswalk.

Farri Cress, the owner of Pristine Auto Spa, spearheaded the program. She is waiting to receive the cards the other businesses helped purchase, so she went out and bought another 200 Carvel gift cards for police to hand out to kids.

RELATED: Wayne Cops Rewarding Kids Who Do The Right Thing

Cress plans on visiting the owners of several other businesses in the coming weeks to see if they would participate in the budding program. Donations of $40, which will purchase 20 cards, are also being accepted at Pristine Auto Spa at 2122 Hamburg Turnpike.

She and the department hope that businesses in the various patrol sectors will donate gift cards to officers who regularly patrol them can give them out to kids and support local businesses.

Wayne Police say the program is a win-win for everyone. It promotes positive behavior among kids and gives them a good experience with the police, rather than a negative one.

"It is a plus-plus for everyone," Lt. Chris Wittig previously said, "children, parents, businesses and police — all working together to promote positive behavior."

Businesses interested in donating gift cards for the program should email Wittig at wittigc@waynetownship.com.

Send local news tips, photos, and press releases to daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Image via Pixabay