By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
Over the next four months, the Manville Police Department wants to give out as many tickets as possible for free ice cream.
For the third year in a row, the department will issue tickets for a free regular ice cream cone at LG’z Boardwalk, on South Main Street, to kids 17 years of age and under who are wearing a helmet while cycling, roller skating, in-line skating or skateboarding.
”Kids are always asking me, when are the cards coming out,” Police Chief Mark Peltack said. “The officers are always cognizant of handing out the tickets (during the summer months).”
Chief Peltack said the program will begin tomorrow (Friday) and last through Labor Day, with officers issuing the free ice cream tickets to all kids they find wearing helmets, in compliance with the New Jersey Helmet Law. Those not wearing a helmet, he said, will be issued a summons to appear in Manville Municipal Court.
The program, Chief Peltack said, was started as a joint project with the Manville PBA Local 236 and LG’z Boardwalk, who helped launched the plan three years ago.
Over the years, Chief Peltack said, the number of tickets given out for ice cream has risen, and 250 were handed out last year.
”The compliance rate has increased noticeably,” he said. “It’s definitely working, and that’s our goal.”

