This Kind Of Trouble Is Welcomed By Gulfport Police Department

GULFPORT, FL — Trouble's coming to Gulfport. But this Trouble is receiving a warm welcome from the Gulfport Police Department.

Trouble comes in the form of an oversized plush dog that will be distributed to children experiencing trauma as part of a new community program called "Trouble on the Scene."

The program is provided through The KenneK Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts, and is intended to calm and comfort children in traumatic situations.

Boston children's author and KenneK Foundation founder Sheila Duncan started the Trouble on the Scene program to ensure that police officers and first responders have a resource available to help children in times of crisis.

"The overwhelming amount of news that suggests just how difficult life can be for so many children was the inspiration behind providing Trouble to first responders," Duncan said. "Subsequent conversations with firefighters and police officers validated the concept and provided the motivation we needed to design a program for getting Trouble into the hands of as many children as possible at the moment of impact."

Duncan said Trouble was actually the idea of her 12-year-old niece, Kendra. Duncan said they'd experienced a number of traumas in their family and her niece, who is now, 28, was especially empathetic toward kids experiencing troubles and told her aunt how much a stuffed animal meant to her during troubling times.

Duncan said Trouble isn't simply another plush toy.

"Indeed, Trouble is a stuffed animal. However, as one of very few plush toys that is 100 percent made in America, Trouble is a keepsake-quality product. Perhaps even more importantly, he has a unique and inexplicable difference that sets him apart from the average plush toy. Maybe it’s his size (he’s 18 inches), his soft fur, his squishiness or those big eyes that draw children to Trouble. Whatever the reason, his power to soothe has been described as magical."

The KenneK Foundation has distributed hundreds of Trouble dogs to police and fire departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Virginia. But this is Trouble's first time traveling to Florida.

Jon Sherril and Rod Kreimeyer, who both winter in Florida, suggested that Duncan reach out to the Gulfport Police Department. Duncan spoke with Gulfport Police Administrative Assistant Gail Biron who love the idea and agreed to spread the word.

Duncan met Kreimeyer through his motorcycle club in Boston. Kreimeyer's club has helped fund the purchase of Trouble stuffed animals for a number of fire and police departments in the Boston area.

When he brought the idea to the Masonic Low Twelve Riders Sons of Hiram Chapter St. Petersburg, they promptly jumped on board. Financial help also came from Tony Mangiafico of the St. Pete Fools, a local business association.

Between the two groups, the first 25 Trouble the dogs arrived at the Gulfport Police Department on May 2.

"This was a no-brainer for me," Gulfport Police Chief Robert Vincent said. "In crisis situations, children oftentimes do not have people they can relate to. If Trouble the dog can help fill a potential void, or even open the door to healing and interpersonal contact, then I am all for it."

Duncan's Trouble on the Scene program has been featured on CNN and MSNBC, and Duncan has received the Boston FBI 2020 Director's Community Leadership Award for her efforts.

Each Trouble dog costs $40. Anyone wishing to donate can click here. All donations are tax-deductible.