The Thousand Oaks Police Department is teaming up with 7- Eleven to reward children for doing good deeds in the community. Through “Operation Chill” deputies are rewarding children who do something helpful, practice safety or deter crime in the community.

Youngsters recognized by the police will receive coupons good for a small Slurpee that can be redeemed at participating Ventura County 7-Eleven stores.

The program, designed to promote good citizenship, is in effect through Dec. 31.

Since the program’s inception in 1995, more than 10 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in communities that have 7-Eleven stores. The Thousand Oaks Police Department started participating in the Operation Chill program in 2008 to reward youths for good deeds and to enhance their relationship with the youngsters.

In addition to rewarding good behavior, Operation Chill offers opportunities for deputies to interact with youngsters in non-law-enforcement situations. Deputies use the coupons to reward children for wearing bicycle helmets, doing good deeds, participating in community activities and organizations, picking up trash, deterring crime or observing school crossing rules.

Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven to reward and encourage good behavior by children during the summer months, when there is often an increase in loitering, shoplifting and graffiti, and to support law enforcement agencies’ community relations projects. The success of Operation Chill has resulted in the program being extended beyond the summer months and into the beginning of the school year.