CAPE GIRARDEAU POLICE GET INTO KINDNESS SPIRIT

For the second year in a row, the Cape Girardeau Police Department has agreed to issue special warning tickets during Random Acts of Kindness Week, May 11-17.

But don't go crazy. These special kindness warning tickets will be only issued at officers' discretion for such offenses as equipment repair or minor traffic infractions. They will replace written or verbal warnings that typically would be issued.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, said officers received good feedback from the department's participation in Kindness Week last year.

One officer even received a letter of thanks from a teen-age driver who had received the kindness warning ticket for a minor traffic infraction.

"She sent a very nice letter to the officer," said Kinnison. "For her, the kindness warning ticket was very effective."

Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel feels the kindness warning tickets are a great idea. He joined the department in January of 1997.

"Acts of kindness are contagious," he said. Hetzel feels the program can help in spreading kindness attitudes throughout the community.

The chief said officers do many kind acts as part of their everyday routines. But these special warning tickets will be concrete examples to the public of random acts of kindness that the officers perform.

The police department is one of more than 115 organizations, businesses, churches and schools participating in kindness week.

To date, more than 13,000 colorful kindness stickers have been distributed free of charge at the Southeast Missourian, sponsor of the local observance. The stickers proclaim: "Warning, I Practice Random Acts of Kindness."

The newspaper has also distributed more than 10,000 bookmarks.

Individuals can register by calling the Southeast Missourian at 335-6611 or 1-800-879-1210. A registration form can also be found on the front of the Lifestyle section in today's edition.

Free stickers, bookmarks, brochures, kindness idea lists, teacher's guides are available at the office, 301 Broadway.

NEW KINDNESS WEEK PARTICIPANTS

First Pentecostal Church of Cape Girardeau

First General Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau

The First National Bank of the Mid South

Job's Daughters Bethel 60 in Jackson

Hanover Lutheran Church

Hanover Lutheran Sunday School

Hanover Men's Club

Shawnee Elementary School South in McClure, Ill.

Trinity Lutheran School

Division of Child Support Enforcement

Rose City Net in Cape Girardeau

Rust and Martin, Inc.

United Methodist Church in Charleston

Century 21 Key Realty

Alma Schrader School Second Grade

Red Star Baptist Church

Grace United Methodist Church

Union Planters Bank

Kindergarten and First grade in Jackson R-2's Primary Annex Building

Facilities Management Department at Southeast Missouri State University

State Beauty Supply

Junior Girl Scout Troop 218 Clippard School

Cordelle School, a division of the Girardot Center

Helpful Hands

KinderCare Learning Center

Nell Holcomb R-4 School

Special Effects

Community Health and Emergency Service, Inc., in Cairo, Ill.

Thorngate Ltd.

Alma Schrader PTA and Student Council

Rose Hills Garden Club

Oak Ridge R-6 Elementary School

St. Mary Brownie Troop 34 (First Grade)

To add your name, call 335-6611