Flower Mound police ‘ticket’ kids for good deeds

Each year, 7-Eleven, Inc. helps thousands of local police officers recognize the good guys, specifically the young ones.

For the 21^st year, 7-Eleven is working with law enforcement agencies across the country to distribute free Slurpee drink coupons through Operation Chill, its popular community-service program.

Big-city departments and small-town forces alike, including the Flower Mound Police Department, use the Slurpee coupons to enhance relationships with the young people of their cities by rewarding them for good deeds, positive activities and acts of kindness.

“The dedicated men and women of the Flower Mound Police Department are excited to partner with 7-Eleven this summer for Operation Chill,” said FMPD Chief Andy Kancel.

“This program is consistent with our agency’s mission and values of positively engaging our community. Our sincere thanks to 7-Eleven for investing in the community. We at the Flower Mound Police Department look forward to utilizing Operation Chill to create and strengthen relationships with the young citizens we serve in our town.”

Started in Philadelphia to give law enforcement officers a positive reason to interact with children and teens, the Operation Chill program has expanded to cities across the country, including the Lewisville and Denton police departments here in Denton County.

Through Operation Chill, law enforcement officers from participating local police and sheriff’s departments can “ticket” youngsters caught in the act of doing good with Slurpee beverage coupons. Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores.

“I don’t know who likes the Operation Chill program more, police officers or kids,” said Mark Stinde, vice president of asset protection for 7-Eleven. “Police officers have told us they love having a positive reason to approach kids and surprise them with a Slurpee coupon as a reward for doing something good.”

Since the program’s inception in 1995, more than 15 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7-Eleven operates stores.

During 2016, up to 1.28 million coupons will be issued nationally to more than 940 law enforcement agencies; most during the summer months and back-to-school season.