Wear a Helmet, Get an Ice Cream

The Florham Park Police Department wants local children to obey helmet laws, and they don't mind bribing kids to get what they want.

The department started a ticket "blitz" this month, according to Capt. Robert Treiber. Children under 18 spotted riding their bicycles, roller skates, skateboards or scooters around the borough with helmets on could receive a ticket from a passing police officer. 

That ticket can be exchanged for an ice cream at the McDonald's in Florham Park.

Treiber said Florham Park's ticket "blitz" is similar to other programs throughout the US designed to promote and reward children who wear their helmets. "It is a proven fact that helmets save lives and reduce injuries," Treiber said.

The department's Bike Patrol Unit and the Madison Bike Shop presented a bicycle safety program to all K-8th grade students in the Florham Park Public School District earlier this year. The program taught kids about bicycle safety and maintenance and bicycle laws, including the helmet law.