Kids in more than 250 cities and municipalities across the nation may look forward to their next encounter with police this summer, thanks to 7-Eleven stores’ popular Operation Chill program that rewards positive behavior with a cool treat.

 

Through Operation Chill, law enforcement officers from participating local police and sheriff’s departments can “ticket” youngsters caught in the act of doing good with Slurpee beverage coupons.  Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores. 

 

Since the program’s inception in 1995, nearly 10 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7-Eleven operates stores.  Almost 800,000 Slurpee coupons will be issued in 2009, most during the summer months and back-to-school season.

 

Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven Inc. to positively reward and encourage good behavior by kids during the hot summer months, when communities may experience increases in loitering, shoplifting and graffiti, and to support law enforcement agencies’ community relations projects. Police use the Operation Chill program to reward youth for their good deeds, as well as enhance their relations with the young people of their city.

 

“This program is a big hit with both law enforcement agencies and kids,” said Mike Raymond, director of 7-Eleven loss prevention.  “Police officers have told us they love having a positive reason to approach kids and thank them for being good citizens.” 

 

Raymond added that police departments start contacting 7-Eleven early each year to sign up for the annual program.  Areas already participating in this year’s program include: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orlando, Tampa, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.     

 

“With nearly a million free Slurpee coupons available to distribute across the country through Operation Chill, we hope to see a great deal of good behavior from kids in our communities,” Raymond said.

 

7-Eleven’s proprietary Slurpee semi-frozen carbonated beverage has generational appeal with both young and old consumers.  More than a half-million Slurpee drinks are purchased each day during the summer at 7-Eleven stores across the country.