Wayne Cops Rewarding Kids Who Do The Right Thing

WAYNE, NJ — The next time a police officer stops a child, it could be to reward them for doing good.

The Wayne Police Department is working together with a business owner to pilot a new program called Kids Caught Doing The Right Thing.

Officers are handing out $2 Carvel gift cards to kids they see riding their bike with a helmet on, playing appropriately or crossing the street correctly, for instance.

Farri Cress helped initiate the program. She is co-owner of Pristine Auto Spa on Hamburg Turnpike. Her business is contracted with the township to wash the police department's vehicles. She was speaking with Officer Joe Rooney, who mentioned that other towns had a similar program and said she would like the chance to start one in Wayne.

Cress spent her early childhood in England, but moved to Wayne in 1989. She grew up having great respect for police officers and other emergency workers.

"I think it is very important to have children respect police officers from an early age," Cress said. "This program is just an extension of what I believe in, that we should be able to go to the police when he need help. They are not people we should be afraid of."

Cress purchased the gift cards and donated them to the department. She and the department hope that businesses in the various patrol sectors will donate gift cards to officers who regularly patrol them.

"My hope is that other businesses are able to help bridge the gap between the police and the community, especially the children," Cress said.

The police agree.

"There's nothing wrong with encouraging positive behavior and positive peer pressure so kids understand that they are not just seeing the police when something bad happens," said Detective Lt. Chris Wittig, who helped spearhead the program. "It allows us to have an open, positive dialogue with kids."

The 200 cards are being distributed evenly amongst the department's patrol units.

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

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

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Photo by David McNew/Getty Images News/Getty Images