Criminals convicted in Bonney Lake may have a new way to do their time.

Along with the traditional option of spending some time behind bars, municipal judge Ron Heslop is giving offenders the option to work off their debt to society through community service.

According to Heslop, the choice of service over jail time not only saves the city money, but also makes sure the city gets something back.

“If we house them in jail, it costs $55 to $70 a day,” Heslop said.

“We have a number of areas where we can do community service and get something positive out of it,” he added.

Because Bonney Lake does not have a jail, it contracts with Buckley and Puyallup for holding cells, a cost incurred by the city. By offering low-level offenders the option of community service, the city saves that money.

On top of that, Heslop said local organizations like the food bank get invaluable help in a difficult economic time.

It also gives the convicted an opportunity to serve their debt without having to miss work and potentially lose their jobs.

Food bank Executive Director Stew Bowen said the program has been going “very well” so far from the food bank’s standpoint.

“It provides us with help and gives us a pretty good array of people to help out,” he said.

Heslop said many of the people to whom it is offered take the community service option. Heslop said the city uses a formula of two seven-hour days of community service equaling three days of jail time.

“It’s a good deal for the city and good deal for them,” Heslop said.

Heslop also said he prefers community service from a philosophical standpoint because a crime hurts the community.

“They ought to do something to pay it back,” he said.

Mayor Neil Johnson said the administration, police department and council are behind Heslop, adding that the judge has been pro-active in making the connections necessary for a program like this to work.

“I think it’s great we’re doing this,” he said. “This is great for the community. What better way to get things done?”

Johnson said some people fulfill their community service with local non-profit organizations while others simply pick up litter or do painting or other projects in the city.

Johnson also agreed philosophically, saying the city is always trying to find punishments that fit the crime and “this makes a lot of sense.”