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waterworkTOP_whiteHazel Park Police Get Donation 711 ad slurpeefor Positive Relations Program
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 6, 2015)
In an era where there is tension between police and citizens, the community of Hazel Park is making a special effort to grow trust and respect.
The Positive Relations Program is set up for youngsters to have items they can relate to when interacting with police. “Over the course of time, many of our local children have various types of contact with police officers,” said Officer Michael Grigsby who started the program. “Often chazzano game adtimes it is during a difficult time for them and their families. This may include a traumatic event at their home, a park or elsewhere in the city, where they are supposed to feel safe and secure. This may incur them having to accompany a parent to the police department where they have to wait in the lobby for a period of time for business to be conducted.”
That’s when the police take the opportunity to reach out in a kind way towards the youngster to help them feel more comfortable.
“During these times, as well as others, police officers have an opportunity to reach out to these children and provide what I call a “positive relations” item. This is an item used to ease their interaction with law enforcement, which can sometimes be an anxious event for children,” ctechadGrigsby said.
“A latent function of this is the unique opportunity to establish a positive relationship with the child, assuring them police officers are there to help keep their families safe. More importantly, that they can call us if needed. The items can also be used during various public relations events.”
Common “positive relations” items include coloring/activity books, junior police badges, stickers and more. Some items have contact information printed on it and are ordered through companies that gear the products towards public safety.
The program is funded by donations. That’s why the Hazel Park Neighborhood Enrichment Committee decided to have a bake sale to raise money for it. The group was able to donate $100. The cost of dickeys_graduation_ad_ferndaleputting on the sale was absorbed by the members so every penny brought in went towards the program.
“Oftentimes the first meeting a child has is under really bad circumstances in a place where they are supposed to feel safe. For example: home, school, a park or even their own car. As officer Grigsby explained it, sometimes something as small as a sticker can help break the ice when meeting them. They know they can be pretty intimidating in those uniforms. And if a child is suffering a trauma, it goes a long way into letting that child know they are there to help them. If you’ve heard about officers who carry teddy bears in their trunk, this is the same kind of program,” said Leigh McLaughlin.
She and fellow volunteer Lois Reitel went in to surprise the officer behind the desk at the police station. “You should have seen it! At first when we walked in, it was a stern “May I help you?” Per protocol, of course. We introduced ourselves and said we were there to help them, and that we had just held a bake sale for their Positive Relations program. Then I slid the check under the window. The officer’s face broke from a stern, serious look into a smile so genuine that I swear I could see what he looked like as a kid. It was awesome,” McLaughlin said.
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