Taiwan police welcome students back with bear-shaped alarm gifts

Taichung police marked the first day of school with child escorts, traffic control and a set of brightly colored safety gifts.

Officers from the Women and Children’s Protection Team and several precincts went to Nanxing, Zhongxiao, Xinyi, Zhonghua and Laicuo elementary schools. They handed out limited-edition bear police alarm pouches, police-hat coin purses and police-emblem whistle keychains.

The bear pouch includes a personal alarm. Children can pull it in a dangerous or unexpected situation to produce a sound and attract attention. Police also operated a safety challenge station, using quick questions to teach children about preventing sexual exploitation, online safety and self-protection.

Other activities included traffic direction outside Zhongxiao Elementary School, crime-prevention lessons at Laicuo Elementary School and appearances by officers dressed as popular characters, including Naruto, Tanjiro and a capybara. Taiping Precinct Director Li Jue-min returned to Zhonghua Elementary School to keep a promise made to children during a summer junior police camp.

Taichung police said they would maintain enhanced child-safety duties around elementary schools and at intersections prone to congestion, helping students travel safely while keeping traffic moving.