BRIMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Brimfield Police is cracking down on street crime of a different kind.
“We’re going to start profiling, and we’re going to do everything we can to start targeting a specific group and write as many tickets as we can,” said Police Chief David Oliver. “We’re targeting kids 12 and under, and we want to look for them to make sure they have their bike helmets on.”
If an officer spots a child riding throughout the community with their bike helmet on, Oliver said they’ll be rewarded with a free ice cream cone from Frank’s Drive-In. The ticket-treats are a part of “Operation Safe Summer,” which will continue for several weeks.
“We traffic stop them and give them a ticket,” said patrol officer Russ Diehl. “I absolutely love it.”
Monday afternoon, Officer Diehl spotted several kids riding on bikes on the streets of Brimfield, like 9-year-old Olivia Jones.
“Police officer came and gave us a ticket for ice cream for being safe and wearing helmets,” she said. “I’m getting chocolate chip cookie dough.”
Olivia was joined by her sister, two cousins and aunt Kelly, who were strolling through town.
“My son was all over it last week,” Kelly said. “As soon as he heard about it, he came home from school, riding around with his helmet on, just waiting for somebody to pull him over.”
Operation Safe Summer has been a Brimfield tradition for many years. Frank’s Drive-In owner Joe Follen said he’s anxious to rewards kids.
“I guess it just gives the children a good incentive, maybe, to do something good,” he said, “not only to wear their bicycle helmet, but also to do good acts of kindness.”