CCSO: SHERIFF'S OFFICE K-9 COMICS WIN 'ACHIEVEMENT AWARD' FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
Posted: July 28th, 2011 4:33 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/624/46448/NACo_award_presentation.jpg (NACo award presentation)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/624/46448/Mik_and_Nero.jpg (Mik and Nero comics)
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2011-07/624/46448/Mik_and_Nero_books.jpg (Mik and Nero books)
July 28, 2011 -- The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently gave the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office an "Achievement Award" for its popular "Mik & Nero" series of grant-funded crime-prevention comics and activity books.
The Clackamas County Commissioners invited members of the Sheriff's Office -- including Deputy Bradley O'Neil and his K9, the real-life Nero -- to their July 28, 2011 public meeting to recognize the NACo award.
The NACo award recognizes "an effective and innovative program which contributes to and enhances county government in the United States."
ABOUT 'MIK AND NERO'
The "Mik & Nero" series (www.clackamas.us/sheriff/kids) follows the adventures of two police dogs as they help children to understand and avoid dangers in their lives. Named for two real-life K9s serving with the sheriff's office -- Mik (pronounced "Mick") and Nero -- the pair have become its ambassadors to children throughout the region.
Six separate "Mik & Nero" books have been produced over the past two years in partnership with other government agencies, non-profit organizations and private sponsors. More than 125,000 copies have been printed to date.
They have been distributed free-of-charge through sheriff's office programs targeting young people, as well as many other groups and organizations serving that same demographic across Oregon. They're also newly available through the Clackamas County library system -- which recently received 1,000 copies of each book to distribute.
Production of the books has largely been paid by grants from local, state and federal programs, as well as private businesses.
Professionals using the books say they've been surprisingly helpful. "The Bubble Book is turning out to be a great tool," said a Family Support Services Staff Member at the Children's Center of Clackamas County. "I provide it to caregivers when there are concerns of abuse but no disclosure, when [the Department of Human Services] is not going to do a field interview, and when the parent has no idea how to have a safety talk/screen for abuse. It's a fun activity book for the parent to do with the child and gives the child an opportunity to disclose."
Mik & Nero comics and activity books are available for free.
You can find print issues of "Mik and Nero" at the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Brooks Building (9101 SE Sunnybrook Blvd, Clackamas, OR 97015) and the Public Safety Training Center (12700 SE 82nd Avenue, Clackamas, OR).
For more information and free downloadable PDFs of each issue, visit the official "Mik & Nero" Web site at www.clackamas.us/sheriff/kids. Links on the sides of the Web page allow kids to learn more about the real Mik and Nero, find links to drug resources, and look at concept art from the comic. There's even a link if the kids want to send the dogs fan mail.
You may also view a video of the award presentation at http://www.youtube.com/ClackamasSheriff
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