By Adam Rollins
Staff Writer
Every year, one of the most positive interactions that local law enforcement officers get to have with their community is to take children from low-income families …
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Every year, one of the most positive interactions that local law enforcement officers get to have with their community is to take children from low-income families on a shopping expedition to pick out their dream Christmas gifts.
The Truesdale Police Department and Warren County Sheriff’s Department hosted “Shop With a Cop/Shop With a Deputy” programs this month, providing dozens of children in need of Christmas cheer with their own personal escorts up and down the aisles at Walmart in Warrenton. Thanks to community donations, officers are able to provide a sizeable budget for each child to select presents that are then wrapped for them and provided for their families to take home.
Officer Scott Taylor with Truesdale Police Department said officers send out a request for community donations for the program each year, and always get immediate responses.
“The support just pours in,” Taylor commented. “Seeing the kids’ excitement is pretty cool.”
He explained that officers identify kids in need through a couple different methods. Some come from families that officers have been in contact with in the past, and know are in need of a little help. Others are recommended to them by local school counselors who know of similar situations.
Truesdale Police Chief Casey Doyle explained that these sorts of positive programs are a vital way for police officers to connect on a personal level with their communities.
“I think there’s a standard perception of law enforcement officers in the public ... as someone in authority. A lot of times, when you run into kids, I think they have that apprehension about ‘Can I approach this person and talk to them? I know that they arrest people,’” Doyle explained. “This is a way to bridge the gap that’s there, so that we can connect with kids. Show them who we are, talk to them, let them know that we’re here if they need something.
“And the most important part is that there are a lot of kids who just aren’t as fortunate as others. They’re in some rough situations, and they didn’t ask to be in those situations, and I think it’s important for public safety to step up when they can and help those kids out,” Doyle added.
