Once again, Belleville Police Service and Dairy Queen Belleville are partnering up for Operation Safety Treat.
Officers will be on the lookout for kids wearing their helmet while on roller blades, riding a bicycle, scooter or skateboard and rewarding them with a coupon for a free DQ Blizzard.
While police often hear the typical excuses like “I don’t wear a helmet because it makes me look stupid”, “They don’t look cool” or, “It will mess up my hair”, the reality is that the law in Ontario requires every cyclist under age 18 to wear an approved helmet. It is also important to know that for riders under 16-years-old, a parent or guardian must make sure their child wears a helmet.
According to Belleville police, 88% of brain injuries can be prevented by wearing a well-fitted helmet.
Belleville Police says they are grateful for the generosity of Belleville Dairy Queen owner, Barry Jukowsky, who started this unique-to-Belleville program almost 20 years ago. Last year alone, over 750 coupons were handed out and they’re hoping to find even more kids playing safely this year.
Officers will launch this year’s program on July 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Dairy Queen on 74 Dundas Street East in Belleville.
