Dozens of Harbor kids benefit from ‘Shop with a Cop’ project

Officers, kids enjoy breakfast at the Eagles, Walmart shopping spree

By Dan Hammock • December 5, 2016 10:00 pm
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Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers was among the area officers who participated in Saturday’s Shop with a Cop event. The project, in its 18th year, teams local law enforcement with kids selected by school principals from across the Harbor for breakfast at the Aberdeen Eagles, a ride in a department vehicle and $100 to spend at Walmart. Here Myers and his partner for the event, Shaylee Johnson, smile over a cart full of toys.
Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers was among the area officers who participated in Saturday’s Shop with a Cop event. The project, in its 18th year, teams local law enforcement with kids selected by school principals from across the Harbor for breakfast at the Aberdeen Eagles, a ride in a department vehicle and $100 to spend at Walmart. Here Myers and his partner for the event, Shaylee Johnson, smile over a cart full of toys.

The sirens you may have heard blaring through Aberdeen on Saturday were no cause for alarm; rather, just a bunch of kids making their way to Walmart with a law enforcement officer buddy to bust through a $100 gift card as part of the Shop with a Cop program.

This was the 18th year of the program. Principals from schools around the Harbor picked a total of 60 students, who are paired up with a cop buddy, fed breakfast at the Aberdeen Eagles, then handed a $100 gift card to spend on whatever they wish. On the way, the kids are driven by their cop friend in patrol cars and, of course, can’t help but blow the siren and flash the blue and reds.

The kids aren’t the only ones having fun. After the event, Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers said, “We had another great Shop with a Cop this morning! A huge thank-you to our officers, chaplain, explorers and Crime Watch volunteers who came out early this morning and spent some time – and extra money – to help make Christmas special for some Hoquiam kids and their families!” The chief’s partner for the event, a young lady named Shaylee, had a cart full of toys and a smile on her face almost as big as Myers’.

Steve Shumate, Chief Criminal Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office, posted a picture to social media Saturday of his shopping partner, writing, “Thank you Missy Jo for another great year with Shop with a Cop. Always look forward to this day.” The Aberdeen Police also posted to social media, a photo of a bunch of kids being driven to Walmart in the back of the department’s MRAP — mine resistant ambush protected — vehicle, and the comment, “Fun at Shop with a Cop! Our officers got to spend the morning with seven fantastic kids from Aberdeen.” Cosmopolis Police also participated and posted photos to their Facebook page, writing, “Thank you, community, for partnering with us for events such as this.”

Participating agencies included nine local police departments and the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Department. Financial support for the project comes from local police organizations, lodges and businesses. “Shop with a Cop brings law enforcement together with local children to provide the child with a positive Christmas experience,” said Kim Adams, project coordinator.

Dozens of Harbor kids benefit from ‘Shop with a Cop’ project
Dozens of Harbor kids benefit from ‘Shop with a Cop’ project
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