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A whole bunch of teddy bears have been bought for RCMP detachments on and round Central Vancouver Island, the place officers will hand out the plushies to youngsters who could also be in a tricky spot and wish some consolation.
Nanaimo RCMP R/Const. Gary O’Brien says greater than 700 “trauma bears” have been divvied out to quite a few detachments, together with in Nanaimo, Oceanside, Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan and Shawnigan Lake, in addition to on Salt Spring and Gabriola islands.
“The bears shall be distributed to front-line police autos on the native detachment, and used to help officers in calming youth who might have witnessed or skilled trauma and to help within the interview course of,” he stated in a launch Tuesday.
‘Confirmed calming mechanism’
O’Brien says it’s wonderful how one thing as small as a teddy bear will be such a major stress reliever for youths.
“Having labored the entrance line for a few years, I’ve seen firsthand the affect these bears can have,” he added. “They’re a tried and confirmed calming mechanism for younger youngsters who could also be traumatized or just overwhelmed when talking with a police officer.”
In accordance with RCMP, the acquisition of the bears was made attainable due to Central Vancouver Island Crime Stoppers. O’Brien says the group noticed the worth in shopping for the bears after being approached by a civilian worker in Nanaimo.
B.C.’s Ministry of Youngsters and Household Improvement posted a trauma-informed practice guide for folks working with youngsters, youth and households again in 2017, highlighting the significance of toys akin to these.
“Making blankets and stuffed animals accessible, or having a sensory field full of textured toys and objects can assist youngsters and youth study to self-regulate in aggravating conditions,” it stated.
A lot of the bears will name the harbour metropolis house, and so they even come wearing their very own Crime Stoppers t-shirt.
“Nearly all of the bears are earmarked for the Nanaimo detachment, whereas the remaining shall be distributed by Crime Stoppers volunteers to the ten RCMP detachments situated all through central Vancouver Island,” added O’Brien.
He says the native Crime Stoppers serves the Central Island and relays tricks to the RCMP detachments talked about above.
To submit a tip, individuals are inspired to name Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go to this website.
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