Rochester, N.Y. - Rochester Police Officers will be armed with a new tool to reach out to the community: toys.
"It's not a cure for a disease, it's not a cure for what they're going through," said Gary the Happy Pirate of the Pirate Toy Fund. "But it does allow them to be a child."
The goal of Toys on Patrol is to leave a positive impact on children who interact with police. Many of those children are dealing with very difficult circumstances.
"I can remember going to some domestics where a mother and father were fighting," said Sgt. Justin Collins of the Rochester Police Department. "The kid is in tears, and the kid is four or five years old. You can't help but think, 'What if that was your brother or sister?' or if you have a child, 'What if it was your child?' Kids are so innocent."
As part of Toys on Patrol, four chests full of toys are set up at Rochester Police divisions.
Officers hope it will give them an opportunity to bring cheer, and a smile, to a child in an unpleasant situation.
"We see some of the worst circumstances," Sgt. Collins said. "This is an opportunity as a member of the police department to reach out and establish that relationship early on."
Toys on Patrol is a community effort.
Gary the Happy Pirate's "Pirate Toy Fund" and the Badge of Honor Society are supplying and packing the toys.
Local company Mayer Hardware made a donation to get the drive going. Organizers say Toys on Patrol is already a success.
"I was able to go with Otto and deliver the toys to some of the police stations," Gary the Happy Pirate said. "It was just phenomenal to be able to get those set up and we've already heard great reports."
The Pirate Toy Fund accepts toy donations all year long.
To find out how to help, click here.
