Re: Digest Number 560 - Toys in Dispatch

[Guest guest]

> Our department has a stuffed toy for kids, too: " Chipper " wears a

> fairly detailed CHP uniform and looks remarkably like a small

> " Smokey the Bear " except for the buck teeth and round cheeks which

> indicate it's a chipmunk. I think the choice of animal was to

> capitalize on the way folks often refer to our officers as

> " chippies. " (Sorta takes the amusing diminutive term and makes it

> more palatable, I guess.)

Our Dept has a number of toys around (sometimes folks you want to

interview have no alternative but bringing their little ones with

them). Also, some of the ladies in our community sew teddy bears to

have on hand (there's supposed to be a couple in the truck of each

unit, but...). These teaddy bears are supposed to be given to little

ones who are victims (including colateral ones). We also have a

" Santa Cop " program where toys are delivered at Xmas to needy kids

(sometimes a bit elastic a definition). There are usually a few toys

left over after Xmas which go into the play pile (or on someone's

desk).

It's a pity that no matter what we have, we can't provide what the

kids really want/need: a safe, stable and loving situation. (My

cynicism showing again, sorry.)

Roy Mumaw

Arroyo Grande PD

[P.S. I lived a sheltered life. I heard the diminutive form

attributed to CHP long before I did certain " ladies. " When I was in

the Navy, one of my shipmates said, " Hey, look at those chippies, "

and I wondered how he knew they worked for the Highway Patrol since

they were clearly out of uniform. <g>]