Friday, 17 February 2012 9:52am
No need to feel blue! The police are here!
Every month, police officers involved in the program visit young patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. There, they interact with the children and discuss hobbies, interests and also chat about important community safety messages.
Laughs and smiles all round when Police Link officers drop in!
Soft toys and other gifts are given to young patients, along with activity books and puzzles containing police awareness and community safety themes.
While being in hospital is never fun, visits from police officers help to brighten long days and provide a link back to normal life outside the hospital.
Detective Sergeant David Huddy, President of Police Link, says the program delivers positive experiences.
“Police Link is now in its 14th year and children respond so well to the police officers visiting them.”
“The Easter and Christmas events are particularly memorable and overall, this program is a truly enriching experience for all involved.”
At Christmas and Easter, children receive gifts and visits from a range of entertainers such as Clown Doctors, Balloon Clowns, Camp Quality Puppets, Star Wars characters and Starlight Captains.
The Band of the South Australia Police, police motorcycles and crime scene examiners add to the festivities with music, photographs and fingerprinting prior to the arrival of the most special guests, Father Christmas and the Easter Bunny.
Around ten to fifteen police officers participate in the hospital visits every month, with more at Easter and Christmas.
Many officers come back time and time again, while there’s also a constant show of fresh faces from those eager to be involved.
Police Link is a Blue Light crime prevention police initiative. Blue Light helps develop and promote life learning and innovative life skill activities for young people in a safe, fun environment.
Specially trained South Australia Police officers, police staff and community volunteers supervise the entertainment and activities.
Find out more about Blue Light at http://www.bluelightsa.com.
