A heartwarming southwest imitative is returning for another summer, but help is needed from local businesses to make it as successful as its inaugural installment.  

The Town of Shaunavon and its local bylaw officer along with RCMP are teaming up again for their Positive Ticketing campaign, a program that aims to build relationships between police and youth. 

According to bylaw officer Bonnie Lingenfelter, around 70 kids collected prizes around town with their positive tickets last year. 

“We were just overwhelmed with the positive replies we received,” she said. “I know from the RCMP side too, it was nothing but positive."

RCMP or bylaw officers hand out tickets when they see individuals practicing personal safety such as wearing a helmet while riding a skateboard, walking a bicycle across the street, using crosswalks, and more.  

The Town has put out a call to local businesses to take part in the program this year; those involved would be willing to donate a small prize such as a treat, drink, or chocolate bar, in exchange for a positive ticket brought in by a youth. 

“The businesses keep the ticket with [the youth's] name and phone number," Lingenfelter explained. "Then at the end, we have all those tickets, and that's where we draw [the grand prize] from."

Positive Ticketing provides a chance for community organizations and businesses to work together in emphasizing positive reinforcement of desired behaviors in young people.  

Businesses that would like to participate are asked to contact the Town’s communications officer Anna Morin at shaunavon6@sasktel.net by April 18 at 4 p.m.