<\/p>\n
In a truly heartwarming display of holiday spirit, law enforcement officers accompanied local children Saturday to buy presents and build positive relationships.<\/p>\n
The annual Shop with a Cop program is designed to help low-income families buy presents for their kids, while also building trust with officers. It is organized by the Montezuma-Cortez high school student government, and this year 17 kids participated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe pick them up in the patrol car, put on the lights, show them we\u2019re here for them then ask them which store they want to go to,\u201d explained Shawn French, a Montezuma County sheriff deputy. \u201cIt\u2019s usually Wal-mart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Children did not have much to say as they scrambled wide-eyed through the well-stocked toy aisles, concentrating intensely.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m getting some stuff,\u201d managed Aydin Steerman, 8. \u201cBut I don\u2019t want to get lost.\u201d<\/p>\n
His shopping partner, Cortez Police officer Vern Rucker is standing nearby, and is a face of adult calm amidst the spirited chaos.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe challenge is if they can\u2019t decide, then we\u2019re here for hours, but it is going well,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good program, and gives them a positive experience with law enforcement. Not all kids have that perception because of crime in their family life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Multiple lessons are learned as well. Each child has about $100 to spend, a lot for a kid.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re learning math, how to compare prices, if something is practical or not,\u201d said Shane Brinkhoff, a sheriff deputy.<\/p>\n
A new bike is \u201cfor sure\u201d practical for his charge Garrett Harmon, who wants one \u201cwithout training wheels.\u201d But the $70 price tag makes Garrett reconsider, deciding instead to upgrade his current ride with cool accessories, including a bike pump.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the first kid I\u2019ve had who is buying gifts for his brother, his sister, his mom, not just for himself,\u201d admires Brinkhoff. \u201cHe\u2019s very giving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loquacious Zelda Moore, 10, is giving officer Rucker an informed, play-by-play account of toy selection and quality, but she suddenly clams up when asked if she is having fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like it all,\u201d she finally says, adding with typical perplexing kid logic that \u201cthe ride was really fun too because there were no computers in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parent Stephanie White is especially appreciative of the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps us out financially, and establishes good relations with police,\u201d she said. \u201cThe kids love it. They have been looking forward to today for weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jared Gulisane, a trooper with the Arizona Highway Patrol, traveled up from Kayenta, Ariz., for the kid shopping melee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey see one thing, then another. It is good fun,\u201d he said, gently telling AAliyah Weeks, 9, of Towaoc, that she needs to put something back if she wants a kid-sized electronic keyboard. Socks and stickers are sacrificed for the chance at musical greatness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll practice \u2013 we\u2019re going to Las Vegas for Christmas!\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
Wal-mart manager Ron Knezek is proud of the program, and gives 30 percent off prices during the one-time event to help out struggling families.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do what we can to help our neighbors, to help non-profits stretch their budget,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the largest employers, so we have a responsibility to help out the community and disadvantaged kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
MCHS student government paid for the charity event with $1,700 they had in their budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put on the event because we know that some families don\u2019t get much of a Christmas and we wanted to help out,\u201d said Audre Rice, freshman class president. \u201cThe kids got what they wanted and had a really good time.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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