DHS Police reward positive behavior

“Usually if they confront me they are like don’t skate in this property, over here and over there, watch out, but if they came up to me and gave me a free slurpee coupon, I would be pretty stoked. ” Axel Vazquez, a DHS High Schooler said.

The temperatures may be hot on thermometer, but “Operation Chill” is gusting through Desert Hot Springs. Officers handing out tickets to local kids but not for wrong doing. Instead issuing 7-Eleven Slurpee coupons to those doing the right thing.

“As our officers are out working, if they see our youth doing positive things, they don’t have to be doing great things but the kids that are riding their skateboards in the skate park and just being safety conscious.” Police Chief Dale Mondary said.

In the process it creates a since of community between officers and the future of Desert Hot Springs.

“The beauty of it is that it is a positive interaction between our youth and the police, we’re not harassing them, hassling them, as they view it. A lot of times if we stop and talk to them, they consider it a negative connotation well this is something positive we can do. Take a few minutes chat with them, talk to them, let them see the personality that we have.” The Chief added.

“Builds a bond with the police officers rather than distance them from the kids. Build the relationship where they know them from first name and there goes officer so and so let me get myself a slurpee coupon.” Sunline Bus driver Jim Thony said.

The best part of the program, you can get any flavor your heart desires.

“I do like the coca cola, but the cherry that’s bomb.”

“I try and stay away from the cherry and go with the blue so it blends in better with my uniform.”