Most would agree the more assets a youth possesses, the more successful they will be in school, the healthier they will be, and the greater the likelihood that they will contribute to their community. Alternatively, they will be less likely to be involved in risky behaviors such as alcohol, drugs, violence, and criminal activities. One proactive initiative that is proving to be very effective in building up these developmental assets is what is called a Positive Ticketing Program. Variations of this program have been established across Canada in communities such as Richmond, Kelowna, Grand Prairie, AB and Toronto, ON. This month the LISIMS/Nass Valley kicked off their own Positive Ticketing Program though the First Nations Policing Unit.

The Positive Tickets are a tool that can be utilized by our RCMP members to initiate relationships between youth, their communities and local businesses. They are donated by businesses and/or organizations in the community and administered by detachments via the First Nation Policing officers, when appropriate and usually come in the form of gift certificates, passes, or discounts.

A youth may receive a Positive Ticket from an officer for any number of positive behaviors, including:

   *  to recognize youth for practicing personal safety such as wearing bicycle helmets,
   *  doing various good deeds,
   *  participating in community activities,
   *  demonstrating community pride, (i.e., picking up trash),
   *  deterring crime, or
   *  as an “icebreaker” to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area

"This initiative was spearheaded by Cst. Vanessa DEMERCHANT, one of our First Nation Policing officers, and the business community in Terrace responded generously."  "Our members are excited about the program and look forward to rewarding our youth who engage in positive behaviours in their communities". "Often, these youth get overlooked." "Handing out these positive tickets will provide our officers and youth a platform to engage in discussions about everything from healthy lifestyles, substance abuse, stranger-danger and bicycle safety ."  

(Photo: Cst Vanessa Demerchant & "Kenna" ,4, of New Aiyansh , wearing her bicycle helmet and receiving a ticket)

Credit: Cst Alexa Blacklock  LISIMS/Nass Valley RCMP

Released by:

Sgt. Donovan Tait

Detachment Commander

RCMP LISIMS/Nass Valley RCMP-GRC

250-633-2222