BEARS TEMPER TRAUMA OF RAIDS

The local Mounties will use teddy bears to help ease the fears of terrified
tots whose parents are on the receiving end of a drug raid.

It's amazing what a difference handing a brand-new teddy bear to a sobbing
three-year-old can make, said RCMP Const. Jean-Louis Rompre.

Rompre spearheaded Project Comfort last month after he saw yet another
terrified three-year-old caught in the middle of a standard drug raid.

"Every time we do a bust, the kids are traumatized with police running in
with their guns drawn," Rompre said.

"It just clicked when I saw a little girl a few months ago. She was so
afraid and just kept crying."

With two children of his own, the sight broke Rompre's heart. "They're
innocent -- it's not their fault if they are in that kind of a situation."

He began approaching local retailers to donate huggable toys after watching
a U.S. police TV program in which American officers handed out goodies to
wide-eyed kids.

Wal-Mart management jumped at the chance to help the community, Rompre said.

"They're ready to give other toys to our other projects as well," Rompre
said, adding toys could also be distributed to abused children.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst