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| Correctional Officer Search and Rescue Team (COSAR) Helps to Brighten the Holidays for Needy Children in Northern R.I. |
| By Rhode Island Department of Corrections |
| Published: 12/07/2011 |
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CRANSTON, R.I. – December 6, 2011 – When Deborah Gardner, who coordinates the community toy drive for Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (BVCAP) began organizing the annual toy drive co-sponsored by Hasbro and the Providence Journal, she was concerned about who could do the hefty lifting when the two truckloads of cartons containing 5,500 toys (all generously donated by Hasbro) arrived at the Woodlawn Community Center in Pawtucket. That’s when her husband, Rhode Island Department of Corrections Minimum Security Correctional Officer Wayne Gardner, suggested she reach out to the Correctional Officer Search and Rescue Team (COSAR), of which he is a member. The all-volunteer organization was more than happy to help out and approximately two dozen C.O.’s volunteered their time this morning to unload the trucks. “Normally,” says Deb Gardner, “my staff does the unloading, but we had some staffing issues and I was worried about how it would get done this year.” She was thrilled to have the COSAR crew’s assistance, and they were pleased to help. Toys will be distributed to children ages one to twelve, primarily from the communities of Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, and Lincoln, whose families receive benefits from the Department of Human Services. The distribution will take place this Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Woodlawn Community Center, located at 210 West Road in Pawtucket. Each child will also receive a hat and glove set donated by the Providence Journal. Similar distribution centers will be set up by East and West Bay, Providence, Tritown (South County) and Cranston Community Action agencies, and Family Resources in Woonsocket. Each family must present the letter it has received from DHS confirming eligibility for the program. COSAR was formed by Minimum Security C.O. Mike LaPlume and is co-led by Maxium Security C.O. Stephen Aceto. LaPlume says he hasn’t seen anything like the camaraderie and support he’s witnessed since deciding to launch the volunteer team about three-and-a-half years ago. Designed to assist in woodland searches for missing or lost children, Alzheimers patients, or even hikers and hunters who lose their way, the team is the only one of its kind in the state. It is on call 24/7. The team has recently decided to broaden its mission to assisting with community projects such as this toy distribution. Officer LaPlume initially received 110 applications from RIDOC Correctional Officers for the then 42-person team. He made his selections based on an interview process which determined the commitment level and experience of the applicants. The team has been trained and certified by the Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Association (RIEMA). COSAR is a multi-agency group called Task Force Two (TF-2), which is led by the State Police. Each member of COSAR winds up spending up to $400 of their own money for equipment and uniforms, and Officer LaPlume is always on the lookout for grant funding to help defray these costs. The Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers (RIBCO) helped with start-up funds. All COSAR members must complete a 16-hour course with the RISP, offered as two eight-hour days, as well as a 16-hour land/navigation course. There are 12 drills per year and some classroom sessions. Because of the enthusiastic initial response, Officer LaPlume has since added another 20 positions to the team. He has had medics, nurses, and EMTs volunteer for the team. Members are both female and male with the title of Captain, Lieutenant, and C.O., ranging from two years on the job to over 30. Back in August of 2010, COSAR members, under the supervision of the State Police, were responsible for locating a missing seven-year-old boy, Alpha Bangoura, who was found unharmed near his home in Woonsocket. Shortly after the team was formed, Director Wall wrote to Officer LaPlume, commending him for his effort and congratulating him for forming a volunteer team with a common mission. “The public spiritedness and professional manner in which the team conducts itself will reflect well on the Department of Corrections,” he wrote. |
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