Members of the Salem Police Department shopped with 60 kids on Saturday as the yearly Shop with a Cop program continues to grow due to more donations from the community.
Canine officer Dustin Duncan helped coordinate this year’s efforts noting the great support from the community.
“Dunk Tank at the fairgrounds is probably our #1 fundraiser for Shop with a Cop. Throughout the community, different individuals and businesses join in. We don’t care how much people donate we enjoy being here with the kids. If someone can make a $5 or $500 donation it’s always a good time and we have a blast doing it.”
Duncan says the money wasn’t a problem this year and the amount spend per kid increased to $150. He notes it’s not only a fun event but allows them to have a different type of interaction with kids.
“These kids may have an altered view of what police are sometimes. We interact with families and it’s not always in the most positive light. We get called to issues at their households or something. This is a way we can hopefully be looked at in a positive light through the kids and family members and it’s not just a bad thing when the police show up.”
The students who participate are selected with the help of teachers in the school system.
School Resource Officer Craig Vieira helps Mackenzie Graham to pick out gifts during Saturday’s Shop with a cop. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Walmart employees dressed for the season assist police and their young shoppers at the checkout lane. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Twelve Salem Police Officers along with some of their family members were part of this year’s Shop with a Cop.
