Operation Chill an initiative of 7-Eleven stores
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is joining Operation Chill™ again this year, “the popular community service program sponsored by 7-Eleven stores,” the department has announced.
This summer, Sheriff’s Office “deputies and civilians will ‘ticket’ youngsters who are caught in random acts of kindness, good deeds or positive community activities with free Slurpee coupons,” a news release explains. “Appropriate ‘offenses’ might include being helpful, wearing a helmet while riding a bike or holding the door open for a stranger,” the release adds.
“Working in law enforcement gives deputies the unique opportunity to engage with children and families in different capacities every day,” said Sheriff Tom Knight in the release. “Just because we wear the uniform and carry the badge doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun and make memories with neighborhood kids along the way,” he continued in the release. “We go into this line of work for a reason so I encourage my deputies to make the most of it every chance they get.”
“Since the program’s inception in 1995, more than 21 million coupons have been distributed to law enforcement members in neighborhoods where 7-Eleven does business,” the release points out.