BOSTON — Nearly 400 kids shopped with local law enforcement officers from across the city of Boston in the 11th annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ event Monday night.
In the ‘Heroes and Helpers’ event at Target in the South Bay shopping plaza in Dorchester, kids paired up with members of Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, MBTA Transit Police, Boston Fire Department and EMS, as well as local colleges and universities, including Boston College and Boston University.
“This is the best thing in my life!” said 8-year-old Joshua, shopping with Sgt. Tony Lee of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept. “I’m having so much fun, I can’t even stop!”
Mayor Marty Walsh picked out action figures, as District Attorney Rachael Rollins, State Police Col. Christopher Mason and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross helped kids find their perfect gifts.
>>>MORE: 25 Investigates: Mass. city pushing to keep more dangerous suspects locked up
“We’re neighborhood kids that have made it this far,” Commissioner Gross said, standing with the mayor. “We want to make sure our future’s taken care of, so their first second or third interaction with first responders and authoritative figures is going to be positive because we want to be in their lives.”
“We want positive encounters with law enforcement,” Rollins added. “These are our potential jurors, these our potential employees, these are our witnesses unfortunately maybe to crimes. And if they have a wonderful encounter…they’re going to come forward and help us later on.”
Funded by $40,000 raised by the Boston Police Activities League, each child received a $100 gift card.
However, many officers, including Capt. David Granese of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept, couldn’t help but spoil their new, little friends, chipping in themselves to make the holiday extra special.
“It’s all about Christmas for them,” Capt. Granese said, as 8-year-old Jesus placed a Nintendo Switch gaming system in his cart. “Whatever he wants, it’s all about the children.”
“He’s my favorite cop that I ever had in the whole world!” Jesus exclaimed.