Building Community Relationships Through "Shop With Cops"

By Angela Gemmill

Two dozen Greater Sudbury Police officers and two dozen young children converged on the aisles of a local retail store this morning for the 8th annual Shopping with Cops event.

The children are chosen from the four local school boards and given gifts cards for their shopping excursion at Walmart.

Organizer Sergeant Joanne Pendrak says all officers volunteer their time and many say this is the kick-off to their holiday season.

This was Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pederson second time taking part.

He says it’s become a regular holiday event for him.

The initiative is meant to build relationships, so the children feel comfortable around police officers.

The gift cards are paid for through the Chief’s Youth Initiative Fund and other sponsors.

The children can use them to buy toys for themselves and presents for their families.

Pendrak says it’s always a humbling experience because the children rarely buy for themselves, it’s always for their Moms, Dad, siblings and even pets.

Several sponsors have been involved since the beginning, including P & M Koussino’s, where the group starts off the day with breakfast.