Children, police meet at Shop with Cop
CRANBERRY TWP — More than a dozen area children, flanked by 26 township police officers, were ready to Shop with a Cop on Thursday night, giving the children a chance to buy gifts for their families and bringing the community and its police force closer together this holiday season.
The children, about 18 students from Haine Elementary and Middle schools, each partnered with an officer who helped them pick out gifts at Target on Route 228.
The department partnered with Target and MSA Safety to fund the event, with each student getting over $200 to spend on gifts.
“Most of the officers in the department that were able came out,” said Sgt. Chuck Mascellino. “We just took individual kids; they got to spend a couple hundred dollars on themselves and family members which is really nice. They got to pick out the gifts they wanted to buy and we had a nice event here tonight.”
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Kristjun and Sydney Taylor of Cranberry Township took their son, Keighyn, to the event, and said they're very happy for the chance to get to know the officers.
“We're very excited,” said Kristjun Taylor as his son shopped. “We come from a smaller town than this. To see a bigger town, to us, have that small town feel, (to) really just want to keep it local, it's pretty cool. I really like it.”
Sydney Taylor said she's glad her son and the other children have a chance to get to spend time with a police officer.
“It's a good way to build familiarity,” she said.
Keighyn, his father said, has always had an affinity for police officers, dressing as one for Halloween the first time he could choose a costume.
“I think he's just super excited to like literally hang out with a cop,” he said. “He was so stoked. We wanted it to be a big surprise so we didn't tell him until a few days before. And he lit up. He was so excited, he couldn't contain his excitement.”
Pint-sized shopper Emanii Salomon, 5, showed the toys she was buying her brothers including a light-saber, Santa Claus outfit for her baby brother, and a toy she got for herself.
“I only got one and they're my favorite,” she said. “They're like little toys and there's surprises in it.”
Once the children finished shopping and officers helped them check out, families and police could adjourn to the break room for pizza and other refreshments.
The event ended around 8 p.m., and families continued to mingle with officers at the front of the store.
Mascellino said they're hoping they'll be able to make the event an annual occurrence.
“It's been very successful,” he said. “I think we've been able to help 18 kids and families tonight.”
