Shop with a cop brings holiday joy to kids in Phoenix

This holiday season, more than 100 children will pair up with Arizona law enforcement officers for a heartwarming holiday tradition. The tradition is designed to build trust, connection, and joy between police and the community’s most vulnerable youth. The event helps provide under-resourced children with a holiday shopping experience that many would not receive otherwise.

AZLEOS (Arizona Law Enforcement Outreach & Support) will host its annual “Shop with a Cop” event in partnership with the MDCC (Metro District Community Collaboration). The event will be held for the first time on Sunday, December 7th, at the Walmart located at the former Metrocenter.

Community Action Sergeant, Julio Cardenas, of the Cactus Park Precinct, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about the event.

This year will be the first time that the event is held at in the Metro district, which covers the Maricopa and Pinal county area.

During the event, each kid is paired with an Arizona law enforcement officer for a one-on-one personalized shopping experience.

Each child gets anywhere from $150-$200 for their spending budget. This varies year-to-year. Cardenas says that they receive the means to put on this event through donations and local sponsors.

This year, another source of funding will come from a collaboration between AZLEOS and Metro District Community Collaboration for the Metro District Fun Run. Proceeds from this event will go directly to “Shop with a Cop.”

Cardenas says that participants can expect the day to start with breakfast and a visit from “Blue Santa.” Then, they are randomly paired with an officer who will take them on their shopping spree. Afterwards, officers and the children have the opportunity to wrap their presents if needed. The day ends with a personal escort of the children home from the officers.

“We’re huge on community policing, community engagement, so this is a perfect event. It highlights what we do not just on the enforcement side but giving back to the community in every way, shape, and form that we can,” Cardenas said.