While on patrol this summer, officers with the West Fargo Police Department are on the lookout for children wearing helmets. If caught wearing a helmet, a child will receive a coupon to a local Dairy Queen restaurant to get a free ice cream cone. The program is a partnership with the AAA’s “I Got Caught” program. The program will run throughout the summer.

“This program helps encourage youth in our community to wear a helmet and be safe,” said Chief of Police Denis Otterness. “It’s exciting to get out there this summer to hand out these coupons and interact with the community.”

The number of coupons given to law enforcement agencies across North Dakota has grown over the eight years of the program. Since 2013, more than 92,000 coupons for a free Dairy Queen ice cream cone went out across the state. Up to 12,000 North Dakota youth will get a ‘citation’ for a free, small Dairy Queen cone this year.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found bicycle helmets reduced head injuries by about 60%. The same study found a 73% reduction in fatalities. For more information on AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, go here.