A crumb about Deputy Friendly

In Florida, Sumter County Sheriff's Deputy Friendly settles into a tiny chair once a week, opens a picture book, and begins to read. When he leaves, the book stays behind for the classroom library. His outreach program is for pre-school children at four elementary schools.

"So many times when we go in there, I ask if they're afraid of deputies or officers. You wouldn't believe how many raise their hands." And kids aren't the only scared ones. "Some of these deputies are scared to death to go read to the kids, but in the end they just love it." Once the kids have a chance to talk with Deputy Friendly, their fears disappear. "By the end of the year, they run up and hug you. And when they see us in public, they remember us and remember what books we read."