RCMP renews community push to recognize safe, kind and responsible youth
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is reinstating its summer positive ticket initiative across Labrador, aiming to highlight and reward young people who demonstrate safe choices, leadership and everyday acts of kindness. The effort is being led by the Criminal Prevention and Victim Assistance Group within the RCMP’s Labrador District Community Policing Services, which will be out in neighbourhoods and on trails throughout the warmer months.
Under the program, officers will watch for practical, constructive behaviour — from wearing a bike helmet and following road or trail rules to helping a neighbour or setting a good example for peers. When police spot it, they can offer a positive ticket that youth can redeem for a prize through participating local businesses and community partners.
“While we celebrate summer in Labrador, we know it is important to maintain connections with youth in the region and encourage positive behaviours,” said Cpl. Karl MacIssac with the RCMP’s Labrador District Community Policing Services. “We hope youth will get outside, stay safe and show kindness toward others, and we look forward to recognizing them for it.”
RCMP officials say the campaign doubles as a touchpoint between officers and young people at a time of year when families are outdoors, biking, swimming and gathering at playgrounds and events. Community policing teams often rely on informal conversations and low-stakes encounters to build trust; the ticket program is designed to make those moments memorable and encouraging for kids and teens.
How it works and what to expect
- Officers will issue positive tickets when they observe helpful, safe or considerate conduct by youth.
- Tickets can be exchanged for prizes through participating local business partners and organizations.
- Examples of ticketable actions include wearing protective gear while cycling, lending a hand to someone in need, following posted safety guidelines and serving as a role model.
The RCMP emphasized the role of community sponsors in making the program possible. Local businesses and service groups provide the incentives that convert a moment of good judgement into a small reward — a gesture the force says reinforces safe habits and shows young people their efforts matter.
Organizers encourage businesses and organizations to get involved. Those interested in contributing prizes or support can contact the Labrador District Community Policing Services at 709-896-1231. The force says expanding the roster of partners helps ensure tickets are meaningful for kids across a wide geographic area, from coastal communities to inland hubs.
Why positive reinforcement matters
Community policing in rural and northern regions often leans on visibility and relationships. By recognizing good choices in public settings — at crosswalks, in parks or on biking routes — officers reinforce safety messages in real time. Parents and caregivers also gain a talking point to discuss helmet use, traffic awareness and respectful behaviour with children before concerns escalate into risks.
Labrador’s short summer brings a surge of outdoor activity. That, in turn, raises the everyday stakes around road safety, water awareness and trail etiquette. RCMP members say the program is a simple tool to nudge safer decisions and to anchor conversations with youth in optimism rather than enforcement. While the tickets are symbolic, the prizes underscore a broader message: communities notice and appreciate considerate conduct.
Local partners at the core
The RCMP credited the success of the initiative to the involvement of businesses and community organizations that supply prizes and help promote the effort. Their participation not only funds the rewards but also ties the program to places young people already know — corner stores, recreation facilities and youth-serving agencies — making follow-through easy and visible.
| Observed behaviour | Recognition | Support role |
|---|---|---|
| Wearing a bicycle helmet | Officer issues a positive ticket | Local partners provide redeemable prize |
| Helping someone in the community | Public acknowledgement via ticket | Businesses/organizations honour ticket |
| Following safety rules and role-modelling | Ticket reinforces good habits | Community sponsors sustain incentives |
For families, the message is straightforward: being a considerate neighbour and making safe choices can get noticed. For businesses and groups considering participation, the RCMP says a modest contribution can reach many youth over the course of the summer and deepen ties across the region.
The positive ticket program will run through the summer months, with RCMP patrols keeping an eye out for young people doing the right thing — and ready to thank them for it.
