By Police1 Staff
KALKASKA, Mich. — When the Kalkaska Police Department challenged the staff find a creative solution to dealing with the 150 retired uniforms in its basement, one officer’s wife had the perfect idea on how to recycle the uniforms.
“It just kind of popped in my head -- well why don’t we make teddy bears for children that need a little extra something special,” Eva Grey told 9 & 10 News.
Almost every part of the uniform, which date back to 1990, is used to make the bears. The buttons are used for the eyes, the shirts for the coats and the pants are used for the bears’ bodies.
“I actually have been able to incorporate the signature lines from the police officer uniforms into the bears,” Eva said.
Each bear takes nearly two and a half hours and Eva will make about 75 bears, the news station reported. The bears will be gifted to children involved in critical incidents like car crashes or family issues. At least two bears will be kept in the back of each patrol car for easy access.
“In times of critical incidents children become very upset and sometimes they can get the view that the police might be against them and we really want to make sure that they know the police are there to help,” Lt. Artress said.