Officers "Cite" Youths For "Doing The Right Thing"
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami Police officers are out in full force this summer, looking for children exercising good judgement.
City of Miami police officers including the chief paid a visit to Charles Hadley Park in search of a South Florida student on Thursday and they found him .
It was a big surprise for Jacob Lofton, a summer camp volunteer who was issued his first ticket. Jacob was actually cited for doing the right thing. The 14-year-old tried getting a job this summer but couldn't so he decided to give his time volunteering and for that he's being rewarded.
"It feels pretty cool," said Lofton.
Officers will be issuing "citations" for kids seen doing the right thing and those "citations" will be issued in the form of free pizza.
It's not your typical "citation" but it does have a positive reinforcement to youths out this summer.
Miami officers partnered with a program called Do The Right Thing to help local youths make good decision and help the community.
Youths seen wearing bike helmets, crossing at crosswalks and performing random acts of kindness such as helping the elderly will be "cited" for their help with warm slices.
"During the summer especially, students have more free time which can often lead to trouble. We are pleased to partner with the Miami Police Department and Papa John's to encourage youths to be mindful of doing the right thing," said Do The Right Thing Executive Director Jodi Atkison.
Ten year-old Stevie Butler Camper is on the right track.
"Keep your hands to yourself. Stay away from drugs. Do good in school and listen," said Camper.
The program which has been around for 25 years, serves school age youths throughout Miami-Dade County by recognizing their positive accomplishments. The group says it has expanded to 59 other law enforcement agencies nationwide and in England and Germany.
"It's very important to me that our police officers engage in positive contact with our community beginning with our youth," said City of Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes.
