May 17, 2012 - Members of Girl Scout Troup #25162 donated nearly 1,000 stuffed animals to police officers at the Houston Police Department’s Southwest Patrol Station at 4503 Beechnut last Friday (May 11).

Photos of the donation are attached to this news release.

The plush toys were collected by compassionate 5th grade girls concerned about children dealing with traumatic events.  HPD officers will give the animals to children they meet, in need of comfort

“You have children present who have just witnessed a really traumatic event.  The officer needs to talk to those kids, to make sure they are okay and to get their version of what happened.  But if they are upset, it is very difficult to get them to talk,” Captain Wyatt Martin said. 

“The officers can use these stuffed animals to have something familiar and nice to show the child, help him or her calm down, and make sure the child is okay” he said.  “Plus, the child will be able to keep the animal, so it is a little something to brighten what is otherwise a bad day,” Captain Martin added.