BUENA PARK : Catching Kids in the Act--of Being Good

Most cities cite youngsters for breaking the law. In Buena Park, kids get tickets--and burgers and ice cream--for their good deeds. The Police Department has started a Safety Citation Program in which children and teen-agers caught in the act of obeying the law are rewarded.

“It’s intended to recognize the good things that young kids do,” said Police Chief Richard M. Tefank. “We want to reward the positive behavior.”

Police Officer Robin Sells, who is coordinating the program, said officers on the street will give the citations to youngsters wearing a bicycle helmet, walking their bikes in a crosswalk and wearing a seat belt. Officers also will be on the lookout for safe and courteous behavior.

Officers then issue “tickets” good for a free McDonald’s burger and fries, a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cone or a Shakey’s mini-pizza. So far, eight local businesses and restaurants are sponsoring the program, which started last week, and are donating free meals or products, Sells said. Other sponsors are needed to support the Safety Citation Program, she said.

On a recent afternoon, Officer Chris Nunez, who teaches a drug education program in local schools, said he saw a 5-year-old boy wearing his bike helmet. Nunez stopped the boy, who was with his father.

“You could see the concern on (the father’s) face like ‘Oh no, what did I do now?,’ ” he said.

The father was relieved to learn his son would be rewarded, Nunez said.

Nunez said that once he explains to people why they are being stopped, “You see the smile on their face. It’s fun to see the reaction.”

Sells agreed that the program is a way for youngsters to feel good about being approached by police.

“It’s good for the kids, and good for the officers to make somebody happy. We’re used to giving tickets or arresting somebody--and that doesn’t make them happy,” Sells said. “Now they can walk away with a good feeling.”