Police reinforce coolness of good behavior

It’s one of those rare times you want to hear police yell, “Freeze!�

For the 12th consecutive year, according to Irvine police officials, the department is participating in Operation Chill, a program sponsored by 7-Eleven where officers distribute Slurpee coupons to kids they see following the law.

“I know that a positive interaction with police makes a huge impact with kids,� said Officer Michael Predney, who works in the D.A.R.E. program. “If it’s a negative reaction, they’ll just dwell on that for the rest of their life. This is going to soften that impact and they’re going to feel comfortable talking to us. It’s a lasting impression on the kids.�

Irvine is one of many cities nationwide participating in the “brain freeze� epidemic, er, program, that will see more than 1 million Slurpee coupons distributed by the end of the year, according to 7-Eleven.

Predney said he handed a couple out earlier this week. He gives coupons to kids he sees doing basic good things, like crossing the street at a crosswalk or wearing their helmets while riding their bikes.

“I saw two kids riding, so I hit the horn on my unit and waved them down,� Predney said. “Obviously their faces are like, ‘What’s going on? Why you stopping us?’�

Then Predney pulled out the coupons, a perfect treat in a particularly hot week.

“The kids’ faces all lit up and were like, ‘This is the greatest!’� Predney said. “Their parents came out; first they’re all concerned. But the kicker for me was as I was walking by I hear them say ‘See kids, when you do the right thing you get rewarded for it.’�