POLICE ON LOOKOUT FOR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Law enforcement officers in Cape Girardeau and Jackson will be committing Random Acts of Kindness this week.

Police officers and sheriff's deputies will join thousands of other people throughout the region participating in kindness week. More than 220 participants, which range from individuals to large corporations, have signed up. Nearly 40,000 smiley faced stickers have been distributed. Stickers and bookmarks are available at no cost.

Throughout the week, kind deeds can be reported to the Kindness Hotline, (573) 333-5111. The kindnesses will be published in the newspaper.

When Cape Girardeau police officers hit the streets today they will be armed with kindness tickets. Motorists and others who have committed minor infractions of the law might get a kindness warning. In return for the warning, individuals are asked to pass on an act of kindness to someone else.

"This is one of the ways we can participate in such a positive event," said Sgt. Carl Kinnison with the police department.

"It is truly up to the discretion of the officer," Kinnison said.

If an officer sees a violation or stops someone for an infraction, he or she may choose to issue the kindness ticket.

"Many times these are given when the officer would have given a warning anyway," Kinnison explained.

The Jackson Police Department Police and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the Jackson Noon Optimist Club, will be handing out bicycle helmets.

If officers see a child riding without the protection of a bicycle helmet, they will stop and give a helmet.

Beverly Nelson is co-chairman of the Jackson Noon Optimist Club's Safety City Committee. The club has donated 70 helmets for the officers and deputies to distribute.

"We're all concerned about the safety of the youth in our area," Nelson said.

When the club was looking for a way to honor law enforcement officers, members decided to combine the effort with Random Acts of Kindness.

"This is a friendly way to approach the kids," Nelson said. "In addition to giving children safety helmets, this should build better camaraderie between the officers and the kids."

The Optimist club plans to keep police officers and sheriff's deputies supplied with helmets for weeks to come.

"We're not limiting this to just one week," she said.

In addition, the officers have pamphlets to distribute explaining the importance of wearing a bike helmet.

"If a police officer gives them a helmet, it makes it seem really important," Nelson said.

Since 1992, the club has given away 1,400 helmets most through its Safety City program, which reaches children through grade four.

"This is a chance to reach the older kids who are not in Safety City, those who are out on city streets."

MORE KINDNESS PARTICIPANTS...

Target

Cotner Electric

Chaffee Elementary School

Jill Pinkston's Kindergarten Class in Scott City

Shawnee Elementary South in McClure, Ill.

Joe and Marcella Sullivan of Cape Girardeau

Gail Wichern of Cape Girardeau

Patton Girl Scout Troop No. 19

Glick's in the West Park Mall

Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Danielle Heil

Otahki Girl Scout Council

Cornerstone Church

Joseph Campbell of Chaffee

American Home Care Management

Cape Girardeau Shrine Club

Brenda Dunning of Cape Girardeau

Friends Forever Pre-School

Fellowship Baptist Church

Becki Blevins of Cape Girardeau

Mercantile Bank

Chuck Gudermuth of Cape Girardeau

Unity Baptist Church in Benton

Mrs. Reimann's First Grade at Clippard School

Sharon Searls of Modesto, Calif.

Professional Fashion Uniforms

Elaine and Liz Matthews of Charleston

Shawnee Schools Title I in McClure, Ill.

Cedar Street Restaurant

American General Finance

Community Counseling Center in Perryville

Sheryl Bradshaw of Jackson

St. Denis Catholic School of Benton

Dr. James T. Main Jr.

Jackson Manor

Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club

Southwestern Bell

Kristen Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau

Third Grade Brownie Troop 34 at St. Mary's School

Danielle J. Carter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

Neurological Consultants

A Small World Pre-School Too

Mrs. Klaus' First Grade Class at Ste. Genevieve R-II School District

A Small World Pre-School

Sikeston Kindergarten Center

Cape Central High School Beta Club

Mr. Ed's Trading Post and Furniture Barn

Meadow Heights Second Grade classes in Patton

Thomas M. Spencer III of St. Charles

Brianna Lueders of Jackson

Cape County Health and Wellness Diagnostic Center

Consumer Education Class at Cape Central High School

Someone's Treasure Clubhouse

Jackson Noon Optimist Club

Jackson Police Department

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department