Donation to Pass Christian police will help children in traumatic situations

By Christina Garcia, WMCA
Original article HERE

There was plenty of coffee to go around as Pass Christian police hosted “Coffee with a Cop” with residents in the community.

The Wednesday morning meeting at Selah Yoga was a little different thanks to two groups, who gave a special donation to the officers. All 50 of the donations will help little ones in traumatic events.

Pass Christian police officers are building relationships while listening to the concerns from the people they are sworn to protect.

“We not only want people to come meet us, see who is serving them and get that relationship with the community, we wanted to bring other organizations in to introduce to the public to know that those services are out there,” said Chief Jim Hendricks with the Pass Christian Police Department.

Advocates for Freedom, which brings awareness of human trafficking, and Mo-Threads, a crafting group, donated the blankets. “Like when you’re picking out your colors, the yarn actually talks to you,” said Mo-Threads member Sydney Dyche.

Members of Mo-Threads created the one-of-kind pieces to be handed out to kids when police respond to traumatic events. “They’ve called us and asked for me. They are more than happy to give them out. They said that it’s a big issue when they have a child in need to give them something to cling to,” said Diana Powell, who is a Coordinator for Mo-Threads.

“Whether it has to do with a drug bust or human trafficking, the child gets in the back of a car and they’re scared. The police man, they don’t know him from anyone else,” Executive Director and founder of Advocates for Freedom Susie Harvill said.

Owner of Selah Yoga Leah Rodgers said the gathering gave her peace of mind. “It helps with a feeling of comfortability to know when you’re in trouble, or you see something, you feel a little bit safer in reaching out and saying, ‘Hey I need help, or I saw something.’ And it’s not quite as scary,” Rodgers added.

Chief Hendricks said the interaction gave people a more positive introduction to officers than meeting one during a negative time like a traffic stop or crime scene.