Stonington — Families here can now tune in to the Stonington Police Department’s YouTube channel and watch officers and other department employees read bedtime stories for children.

New readings are posted at 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and will continue at least until June 24 and likely beyond. The first was posted Monday. 

The story time was the idea of Officer Theresa Hersh, who has been temporarily reassigned from her patrol duties to oversee COVID-19 issues for the department and perform outreach work for Stonington Human Services during the pandemic.

“This is something we can do to reach out to the community with everything that’s going on,” said Hersh, who also serves as president of Stonington Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “It’s a way for our community to see another side of policing.”

Hersh said she organized the story time after seeing similar efforts by police departments and libraries in other communities. She said one of the department’s chaplains and a maintenance worker also have pitched in to read stories. Hersh recorded readings by the third-shift officers when they completed their shifts early Tuesday morning.

“It’s something to offer our young people to watch during this difficult time," Capt. Todd Olson said. “It allows us to help people in a different way. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy the officers reading and maybe get a laugh.”

Olson said Hersh is making sure the department is employing all policies and protocols regarding the coronavirus, including that it has the required personal protective equipment on hand. She also has been contacting people who might need assistance in the community or just a friendly word. For example, Hersh said she is delivering masks to anyone who might need them and does not want to leave their home. She said anyone in town who needs masks can contact Human Services at (860) 535-5015 and she will deliver them.

j.wojtas@theday.com