Monroe Chamber of Commerce prepares to launch Bear Hug program [Video]

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The Monroe Chamber of Commerce is revamping a program that provides bears for traumatized children. “Bear Hug” provides law enforcement agencies with bears for each patrol car in Ouachita and surrounding parishes.

“You never know when that accident is going to happen. You’re going to have children that are obviously distraught or they need comforting. That’s what these bears are designed to do,” said Mike Downhour, director of membership of community engagement at the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

“Bear Hug” originated from a previous program in the area called “Teddy Bear Patrol.”

The program provides two stuffed bears in every patrol car for law enforcement agencies within Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Caldwell parishes. Officers can give the bears to children who were involved in a car accident or are being removed from a domestic abuse situation.

Downhour said the program is still in the works, and …