Operation Chill rewards kids for good behavior

Calexico Police are cracking down on good deeds. Any kid caught doing the right thing will be told to chill out with a free slurpee.

Officer Miryam Vega said Operation Chill is out in full force they are looking out to catch some kids red-handed.

“We’re going to ask them, or we’re going to see them doing something good, a good deed, and we’re going to reward them,” Vega said.

It could be using the crosswalk correctly or helping mom and dad. They get a voucher for a free Slurpee from local 7-11 stores. Many kids were surprised to see Vega approaching them.

“At the beginning, I saw their faces, they were kind of scared, wondering what was I doing there,” Vega said.

Police have several hundred vouchers to last till the end of the year.

” They were happy. It’s very hot. Everybody would enjoy a Slurpee at this time, ” Vega said.

Vega said the program brings them and community together and helps in joining them in the fight against crime.

” It is very important because if they see something going on, any kind of drug activity, somebody suspicious, they can call us, they can talk to us. They can feel comfortable around us. That’s very important, ” Vega said.

Police encourage parents to talk to their kids about safety in the streets.

” When they to go to stores, when talking to strangers, that’s a big no-no. Leaving their parents’ side. They might think it’s okay to walk away for a few minutes but next thing their parents are not around, ” Vega said.

This is the 12th year that Calexico Police and local 7-11 stores team up to promote good behavior.