WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif — The annual Shop with a Cop event in West Sacramento brought the community together Saturday to ensure kids in the area had a memorable holiday.
The West Sacramento Police Department teamed up with Walmart and other organizers for the 8th annual event, allowing kids to go on a $200 shopping spree while having pleasant interactions with law enforcement officers.
“For us, especially as police officers, it’s an opportunity to not be doing police work in the traditional sense,” said West Sacramento Police Chief Rob Strange. “It’s a chance to actually connect in a way that’s super meaningful, and not involving any kind of enforcement, sometimes with parts of our community that historically we haven’t connected very well with.”
The event was hosted by the police department in partnership with the Washington Unified School District Outreach Team, the Collings Teen Center and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. This year, 30 children were chosen to go on the spree.
“At first I said no [to being part of the event] because I didn’t know what it was, but it’s cool,” said teen Rey Pacheco. “I like Christmas shopping, especially for my family… It feels good. I didn’t think I would get this opportunity.”
Kids were able to get both what they needed and wanted from the event which took place at Walmart at 9 a.m. Saturday.
“I feel great, it was a really nice experience… I bought some stuff for me, some of my friends and my family,” said 11-year-old Ainsley Jones. “I got to get whatever I want so long as it’s under $200 and I got some things for my siblings too.”
Officers were also able to leave the event feeling festive.
“It is a really strong reminder of why we’re called to serve. This day always gets my holiday season started,” said Strange. “It always fills my heart and helps get me energized to do this job and keep doing this job.”
After the shopping spree, the kids were able to catch a photo with Santa and his helpers, have some lunch and wrap some gifts before the holidays.
The Roseville Police Department held their annual Shop with a Cop event to help more than 100 kids go on similar sprees with the help of 10 law enforcement agencies and dozens of volunteers.
