The Tyler Police Department is in want of teddy bears and different stuffed animals to assist comfort children in traumatic conditions.
“When children get scared, they need to maintain onto one thing,” stated Tyler police officer Kerri Long.
Being ready to give children a stuffed animal and speak with them may help ease painful conditions, equivalent to when a mum or dad is arrested or after a automobile wreck, Long stated.
An instance Long stated she remembers properly is when she was on the scene at a serious automobile crash at Paluxy Drive and Grande Boulevard in Tyler in which three younger children had been in one of the concerned autos. The children had been “shaking and crying,” so Long received teddy bears from the again of her automobile.
The youngest lady held onto a bear that was bigger than her, Long recalled. Simply having the ability to “hang onto it helped just a little bit.”
While the stuffed animals are saved on the police departments, many officers will carry a number of with them in their automobiles so they’re at all times ready, Long added.
A police officer’s responsibility can imply making arrests but additionally consists of serving to individuals, equivalent to children, the aged and disabled residents.
“You see two sides of us,” Long stated. “We’re tough, but when we see the kids, our hearts melt.”
For about 18 years, Tyler police officers have used teddy bears or different stuffed animals to comfort children, Long stated. The division is asking the group to donate stuffed animals to refill its diminishing provide.
Long stated the division has acquired quite a few donations, and it “warms my heart” to see individuals pitching in to assist the division and children.
“I’m so blessed to be working in a community where they love police officers and they love kids,” she stated.
Many mother and father and grandparents are also utilizing the chance to donate stuffed animals to present children the significance of giving again, Long stated.
Stuffed animal donations are accepted at both of the Tyler police stations at 711 W. Ferguson St. or 574 W. Cumberland.