Town of High Prairie Councillor Michael Smith says youth deserve recognition when they do good deeds for others and is proposing a program called ‘Gotcha Being Good’.

Smith discussed his proposal during the High Prairie and Area Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Elks Hall April 6.

“Wouldn’t it be good to have a program in the community that everyone can get excited about?” he says. “But it’s not just for the community; it’s for our entire region.”

The program would target helmets and seatbelts, but anybody can caught “being good,” he adds.

Smith has talked to S/Sgt. Steven Daley at the High Prairie RCMP Detachment about his idea. Daley could not be reached for comment at press time.

Chamber president Gord Olson likes Smith’s idea. He says it would be a good way to show youth the benefits of good behaviour through positive reinforcement.

“It gives youth an opportunity to connect with local police officers,” says Olson. “It helps the police make a good connection with the community, too.”

Smith would like local businesses to sponsor prizes and/or provide money for two prizes.

Youth who are caught “being good” would have their names put into a draw box and the draws would be held in August.

Smith wants to get the program going by June 1 and says he will make a presentation to the town’s protective services committee in late April.