Cops issuing Slurpees rather than tickets

Program is intended to remind kids to follow the rules.

La Cañada kids out and about this summer might attract some attention from a usually unwelcome source — law enforcement officials. Only this time, they’re getting recognized for doing the safe and smart thing, and instead of a ticket, they’ll get a free 7-Eleven Slurpee.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station is participating in 7-Eleven Operation Chill. The retailer provides law enforcement officials with coupons for free Slurpees that they can give out to kids they see following the rules, like riding a bike with a helmet or using a crosswalk.

While Traffic Sgt. Mark Slater was patrolling on Tuesday, he caught Bryce Badaruddin, 13, of La Cañada Flintridge, cleaning up after his dog, the aptly named Lucky. Badaruddin went from nervous to grinning as soon as Slater gave him the coupon.

Slater said that he thought the program was a good chance to build the relationship between law enforcement and the community, and to encourage kids to play by the rules.

“Maybe the Slurpee is just the thing to remind them that they have to do things correctly,” Slater said.