VIDEO GEAR, BEARS SOUGHT BY DETECTIVES.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Santa Clarita's child-abuse investigators are appealing to the community to provide equipment ranging from video gear to teddy bears to comfort troubled youngsters.

With money tight, Los Angeles County sheriff's Detectives Chuck Ansberry and Susan Valesquez are looking outside their budget to buy a range of items for use in interviewing abused children. When the pair needs video equipment for interviews, they must drive an hour to get it.

``We appreciate the public's generosity, whatever that might be,'' said Ansberry, who currently works out of a trailer behind the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station. ``All the money raised in the Santa Clarita Valley will only be used in the Santa Clarita Valley.''

Among the equipment detectives are hoping to acquire are a digital camera, an 8mm video camera, a 13-inch TV/VCR combo, a tape-duplicating machine, testing equipment, thermometers and other specialized measuring devices.

``We're looking for recording-type equipment that would help us with our job,'' Ansberry said. ``We handle all physical and sexual assault cases involving minors in the Santa Clarita Valley.''

Right now, in order to view, hear or make a copy of a taped interview, detectives must drive to either Lancaster or Whittier.

``It might be necessary for me to drive to Lancaster several times a week just to view a tape,'' Ansberry said. ``The actual recording might take five minutes, but I will lose two hours just in drive time. It seems silly.''

The pair also are hoping to buy stuffed animals, coloring books and other toys to comfort youngsters during trying interviews.

``We want to be able to give a child a stuffed animal that they can hold during the interview and take home with them,'' said Tanya Owen, a child-abuse investigator. ``This would help them relax in an interview because they have to talk about something very traumatic and very personal.''

Before interviews, detectives find themselves putting children at ease by playing with them.

``We will play with them or color with them,'' Owen said. ``We will do whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable.''

Since June, a company working with the North County Child Abuse Unit has begun sending out letters to local businesses asking for donations. They also have initiated a phone bank of solicitors asking residents for contributions.

``Any help the community can give is truly appreciated,'' Owen said. ``We're collecting as much as we can.''

The campaign is expected to last through September.

Donations can be sent to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, Attn: Detective Chuck Ansberry, Child Abuse Unit, 23740 W. Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Detective Charles Ansberry hopes to make his sheriff's station office more kid-friendly and efficient with donations from the community.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer