The police department will be distributing coupons for free Slurpees at area 7-Elevens to kids throughout the area.
The program, known as Operation Chill, has been in existence for more than two decades. The goal of it is to help encourage young people to get involved in community service in their towns and cities.
Organizers of similar community service programs can use flyer printing to explain how the programs work and who is eligible.
In the case of the Slurpee program, children receive "tickets" (coupons for a Slurpee) for performing what officers determine to be good deeds. Those might be anything from participating in an event sponsored by the police department or another community organization, doing something kind for someone else, or helping to deter or prevent a crime.
Operation Chill originated in Philadelphia in 1995, as a way to give local police a reason to have positive interaction with youth. It has since expanded nationwide and nearly 21 million coupons have been given out since then.
Speaking of the program in Cape Coral, Corporal Phil Mullen said:
"Officers are always looking for ways to have positive interactions with our citizens, especially the kids. Being able to reward good behavior and put a smile on a child's face (along with a cold Slurpee on a hot day) is definitely a highlight of an officer's shift."