Behind the Badge
Anaheim Police Department’s newest Traffic Section member – Oscar El Oso – made his debut Oct. 24 at CHOC Children’s in Orange, bringing smiles, high-fives and hugs throughout the hospital.
The virtually life-sized teddy bear ambassador, along with several members of the APD Traffic Section, made their way through several floors of the children’s hospital, red wagon full of stuffed Oscar teddy bears in tow, dropping into rooms to hand out the bears, coloring books and crayons, stickers and just a little bit of fun for the kids sitting in recovery rooms and lying in hospital beds.
Axel Espinoza, 7, of Anaheim, gets a visit from Anaheim PD’s Car Seat Check-up bear while staying at CHOC. Behind them (from left) are APD Officer Newman, Officer Steve Anderson, M. Villegas of APD Traffic Office, Officer Ryan Nichols and Officer Oscar Ayon.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids, their parents and hospital medical staff could not help but smile at the bubbly bear.
“It’s just as much fun for us as it is for the kids,” said Traffic Section Sgt. Rod Duckwitz.
Anaheim PD Officer Steve Anderson gives a teddy bear to 22-month-old Harlow Langtree as officers visit kids at CHOC Children’s of Orange County.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Oscar will serve as the new ambassador of the agency’s traffic safety program, including its free car seat checks for parents. He also will visit local schools to help promote traffic safety.
“We want him to be an icon throughout the city,” Duckwitz said.
Duckwitz said the Traffic Section does more than just write tickets. There are a host of community events like this that they participate in to educate and connect with the public.
Kayla Alfaro, 13, of Garden Grove, left, and Joshua Edelman, 10, of Rancho Cucamonga play Monopoly at CHOC Children’s as they get a visit from Anaheim PD Officers Steve Anderson and Ryan Nichols, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Oscar wasn’t the only visitor. Several Traffic Section members also visited with the children and their parents. One mom in the oncology ward shared with the officers that her young son dressed up like a police officer for Halloween last year. She asked him: fireman or policeman? To which he answered “policeman.”
A girl resting on her hospital bed couldn’t stop giggling when Oscar got up close for a picture. They high-fived before he left. And it wasn’t just the kids who succumbed to the silent bear’s charm. As he waved his way through the hallways, nurses and other staff spontaneously smiled and a few even got bear hugs.
Members of the Anaheim Police Department gather to pay a visit to the kids at CHOC Children’s – Children’s Hospital of Orange County. From left, Sgt. Duckwitz, Maggie Villegas, Karla Santillan, Kristina Hamm, Off. Anderson, Oscar el Oso, Officer Newman, Officer Nichols, Officer Ayon.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It feels nice that they would come and visit with the patients,” said Veronica Saavedra, who was in a hospital room with her 7-year-old son, Axl Espinoza, who was being treated for an infection. She said her son enjoyed the visit.
Motor Officer Ken Newman, who is new to the Traffic Section, was happy to be a part of the CHOC visit.
“It’s awesome that they do this,” he said. “[You] get to see a different side of police work… And let them see a different side of us.”
Antonio Mendoza, 9, of Santa Ana, gets a bear from Anaheim PD Officer Steve Anderson at CHOC Children’s.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Rani Gulsaid, 11, of Anaheim, gets a high-five from Anaheim PD’s Car Seat Check-up bear and Officer Oscar Ayon during a visit to CHOC.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Giovanni Galeno, 10, of Santa Ana, gives a high-five to Anaheim PD Officer Newman as officers visit kids at CHOC Children’s – Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Llulibeth Trujillo of Fullerton holds her 3-month-old daughter Scarlett as Anaheim PD Officer Oscar Ayon gives them a teddy bear.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Newman visits 4-year-old Nathan Gallups of Lake Forest as officers visit kids at CHOC Children’s.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officers Steve Anderson gets a fist bump from 12-year-old David Casdellano of Tustin during a visit to CHOC.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Officer Ryan Nichols, left, Officer Steve Anderson, CHOC Volunteer (and Miss Tustin) Emma Foss and the Anaheim PD Car Seat Check-up bear visit kids at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
