‘Shop with a Cop’ unites youth with law enforcement
It would be safe to say that Walmart was void of any potential criminal activity as more than a dozen uniformed members of the Nye County Sheriff's Office assembled there for the 'Shop with a Cop' event on Tuesday morning.
Shop with a Cop provides a fun-filled day for roughly 25 area children who roam the aisles with assigned deputies, detectives and the offices' top brass to choose a Christmas gift for themselves.
Sgt. David Boruchowitz said the shopping experience fosters positive and trusting relationships between the youth and officers who dissuade the kids from choosing a life of crime and violence.
He noted the retailer's commitment to the community.
"Walmart provided money for children in the community," he said. "Sheriff Sharon Wehrly and her staff met with these children at Walmart and went shopping for Christmas presents."
The children were chosen to participate in the program this year through the Division of Child and Family Services.
Boruchowitz also noted several of the deputies also contributed to the program.
"One of the NCSO deputies matched Walmart's donation, doubling the amount each child received," he said. "Several deputies and citizens provided monetary donations to make this experience even greater. We just want to give thanks to everyone who helped make this experience such a success for these children."
Additionally, Boruchowitz said efforts are underway to keep the relationship between cops and kids an ongoing experience.
"Next year the sheriff's office will be accepting donations county-wide and will then be delivering toys to children throughout the county. Sheriff Wehrly will be organizing next year, a Cops, Kids 'N' Toys program that will be able to serve children living throughout the county."
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com