OPSO Teams with Local Books-A-Million to Help Children Cope with Trauma

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies regularly face situations where young children have to cope with a traumatic event. It might involve a car accident, the death or serious injury of a family member, domestic violence, or possibly the child is a victim. As a way to help these children cope with the trauma, the Monroe Books-A-Million location has donated gift packages containing a stuffed animal and a children’s story book to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. The deputies will keep the packages in their patrol units and in the Investigative Division to give to the children they encounter that need help to cope with tragedy in their lives. “During these type situations where children are dealing with trauma, gifts such as stuffed animals and children’s books given to the children by the deputies or police officers actually help comfort them” said Sheriff Russell. “It also helps build trust between law enforcement and children, showing them the deputies are their friends and they can turn to them when they need help”, he continued. Sheriff Russell and the Deputies of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office express their sincere thanks to Holly Knight and the staff at the Books-A-Million Monroe location for their contribution and sincere concern for these children.