Police go positive with ticketing youth

Sgt Marji Fischer gives Kairi Playle, 6, a positive ticket for wearing a helmet with when riding her bike.

Police ticketing of youth has a new purpose on base and around the city.

Police personnel within the south island police services area, including Military Police from Military Police Unit Esquimalt, are rewarding youth demonstrating good behaviour with “Positive Tickets.”

Good deeds such as skateboarding with a helmet and bicycling safely, picking up litter, staying drug free, and helping others will be noticed, and Military Police may reward youth with a ticket.  

The tickets are the size of a hockey trading card and earn youth free drop-in admission to a recreational centre within the Greater Victoria Capital Regional District, including the Naden Athletic Centre.

At the NAC, they can be redeemed for one free access to the gymnasium, pool, weight and cardio rooms (15+ years), and arena.

However, the number of the tickets is limited, so there will be some discretion as to when they are issued.  

While conducting proactive patrols in the military communities, Military Police will not only be canvassing individuals for breaking the law, but will also look for good deeds and positive behaviours by community youth.

The intent of the program is to reduce juvenile problems in the community, boost self-esteem and improve community relations with youth.

“Our military police patrols interact with youth residing within the eight residential housing unit sites located within a 25 kilometre radius of CFB Esquimalt,” says Major Michael Lemire, Commanding Officer of the Military Police Unit Esquimalt.

“The act of giving out the positive tickets will help further build relationships between youth and the Military Police. We always strive to have positive interactions with those we provide law enforcement and Force Protection services to, and this program helps us do that.”  

The Greater Victoria recreational centres and police services have partnered for several years to operate the program.

This July, the CFB Esquimalt Military Police Unit was invited to participate. After consultation and approval from CFB Esquimalt leadership and local Personal Support Programs, the Military Police joined this initiative.

“Military Police Unit Esquimalt continues to make a concentrated effort to be more involved in the Capital Regional District Law Enforcement organization as a whole, and this initiative is part of it,” says Maj Lemire.

“We’re now working together with a number of other city bodies from Sidney to West Shore to support the youth in the community.”

When you see your Military Police personnel patrolling within your neighbourhood, give them a wave and say hello, says Maj Lemire. “After all they are part of your community and are working to ensure our communities remain safe,” he adds.

Rachel Lallouz
Staff Writer