SPD accepts 200 bears to distribute to children

What’s cute, cuddly and will soon be riding along with Sarasota Police?

At least 200 teddy bears were donated to the Sarasota Police Department from the Tiny Hands Foundation of Sarasota and Manatee Counties for the Teddy Bear Brigade. Each patrol car will receive a teddy bear to hand out to any children they see in distress or in need of comfort.

Chief Bernadette DiPino accepted the teddy bears for the department from Tiny Hands Foundation founder, Rod Khleif.

Khleif said the goal was to “comfort and bridge the gap between the police dept. and children.”

This initiative is intended to be an ongoing program and the Tiny Hands Foundation will replenish the teddy bears when they have all been handed out.