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No. 13 Vol. 11
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Wayne Police Catch Kids Doing The Right Thing
W
By Anya Bochman hen Farri Cress of Wayne thinks about her childhood in England, she inevitably remembers the “bobbies” – English police officers – coming to her kindergarten class to talk
to the children and explain their role in the community, as well as give out ice cream. “Kids are very impressionable at that age, four to five years old,” Cress says, as she relates an anecdote of a murder of a local po-
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liceman that summoned thousands of volunteers to help, and showcased the community’s devotion to its police force. Cress owns Pristine Auto Spa & Service Center in Wayne, a business she purchased with her son six months ago. She said that America could do more to “bridge the gap” between the police and the general public, creating a generation of youngsters who view cops “as friends rather than disciplinarians.” “I’ve heard parents threaten [misbehaving] kids with calling the police,” Cress says, “Like it’s something to fear.” To combat what she perceived to be negative attitudes towards law enforcement, Cress and Wayne Police Department Officer Joseph Rooney discussed possible solutions and came up with the Catching Kids Doing the Right Thing initiative, a campaign that serves to reward children seen acting positively in the community with a delicious childhood staple – ice cream. “Catching kids is a positive play on the idea of catching thieves,” Cress explains. The program works simply – Cress purchased 200 gift cards to Carvel, with the ice cream ven-
dor’s name appearing on the front of the card and the campaign name, Wayne Police logo and donation information by Pristine Auto Spa on the back. When a youngster is spotted doing the “right thing” – which can range from wearing a helmet while riding a bike to helping an elderly person cross the street – a police officer participating in the program can reward them with a $2 gift card to Carvel. Since the program’s inception about a month ago, a number of local businesses have joined, donating cards and offering their services – something that comes in handy for children whose families do not live near a Carvel. And despite the growing number of establishments coming on board – such as Wetzel’s Pretzels and Primo Pizza – Cress stresses the need to focus on Wayne and its community. Cress, who came to America in 1989 and whose children attended middle school and high school in Wayne, says there is no negative message in the initiative – for instance, that children will learn to perform good deeds only if there is a potential reward. “There is no harm in someone getting recognition for doing good,” she
Farri Cress of Pristine Auto Spa & Service Center in Wayne holds a printed list of gift cards from various local businesses that Wayne Police can use to reward children seen performing good deeds.
says. “And the kids don’t expect it, they are picked randomly – there are only so many cards per zone, it’s not like everyone can get one.” Lieutenant Christian Wittig, who spearheads the program at the Wayne Police Department, agrees. “Positive reinforcement is beneficial – and it could be contagious,” Wittig states. “It can have a peer pressure result – but positive peer pressure.” Although the program is still too new to see any quantifiable results, Wittig notes that he’s observed positive reactions from parents of youngsters. However, he also stresses that Wayne police’s relationship with the community has always been a positive one, and the township’s regard
for its officers has been “nothing but supportive.” Like Cress, he acknowledges the importance of interacting with children at a young age, noting that the children who have been approached so far were mostly curious, and maybe a little surprised. Still, Wittig recognizes that some juveniles may feel apprehensive about talking to the police, something the program is seeking to change. “We want them to know that we’re out there for them,” he says. As the program continues to grow, more local businesses are interested in participating. Those seeking to get involved or donate to the program can do so by contacting Pristine Auto Spa in Wayne.