The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has announced a new summer initiative to help kids be safe on the water while giving them a chance to score a sweet treat.

The Marine Patrol’s Deputy Trevor Tate tells us when the department spots a child wearing a life jacket while boating between now and Labor Day, they’ll give them a voucher for a free ice cream cone at McDonald’s.

“This is a program that McDonald’s runs from their corporate headquarters, and we reached out to them and they provided us with the manager from South Haven, and they were extremely excited to do the promotion with us,” Tate said.

So far, it’s only the South Haven McDonald’s, but Tate says they’re hoping to get more locations involved.

Marine deputies will keep their eyes peeled as they’re out and about on the waters of the Black River, the South Haven Harbor, and Lake Michigan.

“Different areas where kids are playing down by the state park and other areas on a boat, we will provide that free ice cream cone to all kids that are showing their safety first.”

Tate says the law requires all kids under six to have a life jacket when on a boat, although many people don’t know that. He says the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department’s goal is to promote safety and spread awareness, not to punish people for violations.