Positive Ticketing System

The Ivy Foundation, the Tuscaloosa Police Department, and the multi-church Where is God When Life Happens? organization have combined resources to implement the Positive Ticketing System [PTS].

Objective

To create more positive interactions and experiences between Tuscaloosa’s youth and members of local law enforcement. The ultimate, long-term goal is to change local teens’ perceptions of law enforcement officers, eradicating any negative connotations and serving as a catalyst for a safer environment for all.

Strategy

The positive ticketing system rewards Tuscaloosa’s young citizens for exemplifying service-oriented behavior, while simultaneously creating a positive relationship between law enforcement officers and adolescents. In practice, school resource officers would carry out their typical day-to-day observations. Upon recognizing an elementary, middle, or high school student acting as a positive, contributing citizen, the officer would approach the young individual and issue a Positive Ticket (PT). The PT would be redeemable at various businesses in the city that join the PTS Initiative as Community Business Partners (CBP).  Partners can include restaurants, local recreational centers, entertainment venues aimed at children and youth, bowling alleys, movie theaters, and more. Each officer will have a limited number of PTs to issue to ensure that a standard of high-character behavior is being rewarded. Each month students who receive PTs will be honored by the Where is God When Life Happens? multi-church organization with a “Student of The Month “ award.

How You Can Help?

Join the community in our efforts to mitigate crime by serving as a Community Business Partner or by encouraging small businesses and local franchises to honor Positive Ticket vouchers at locations around Tuscaloosa and Northport. Local businesses are encouraged to become Community Business Partners by donating multiple gift cards in the amount of $10.  The cost of providing gift cards is fully tax deductible. Individuals are also encouraged to purchase gift cards in the amount of $10 and donate them to the program. Consider gift cards to any of the following:

• Restaurants

  • Movie Theaters

• Bowling Alley

• Bookstores

  • Retail Stores

  • Recreation Centers

• Alabama Athletics Tickets/Facility Tours

Tax-deductible cash donations will also help us purchase gift cards for the Positive Ticketing System.