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Citrus Heights Messenger

Police Department Hosts Largest 'Shop with a Cop' Day Ever

Dec 24, 2019 12:00AM ● By By Elise Spleiss

Over 100 members of the Citrus Heights Police Department, Citrus Heights Rotary, & 50 young shoppers from the San Juan Unified School District descended upon the Walmart in Citrus Heights for a day of shopping. Photo courtesy Citrus Heights Police Department

Police Department Hosts Largest 'Shop with a Cop' Day Ever [3 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - As 2019 comes to an end with it’s usual array of holiday celebrations for all, and special programs to bring a ray of hope to less fortunate residents, the City is also looking forward to the future of Citrus Heights.

It was a rainy day on Wednesday, December 18, as police emergency and other vehicles loudly descended upon the Citrus Heights Walmart, not to catch a bad guy but to bring smiles to the faces of 50 young shoppers at their annual Shop with a Cop event.  Eighty Citrus Heights Police Department (CHDP) police officers, their staff and members of the Citrus Heights Rotary (CHR) joined forces with the 50 eager students for a shopping spree they will not soon forget.

Participants began their day with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Citrus Heights Community Center, hosted by staff from Assemblyman Ken Cooley’s office and the Rotary.

Each student was paired with a police officer and an allotment of $125 to spend, many not only shopping for themselves but also for other family members. The Subway in-store restaurant and Pepsi provided box lunches at the end of the day.

Sponsored by Walmart and the Citrus Heights Rotary, this year’s Shop with a Cop event had double the number of shoppers from 2018, making it the largest Shop with a Cop event in CHPD history. Participants were selected by the San Juan Unified School District. 

This important event and others such as the annual CHDP Christmas toy delivery program to poor Citrus Heights neighborhoods brings youth into contact with their police department in an atmosphere of trust and fun. Many other events through the Citrus Heights Police Activities League (CHPAL) help to create positive ongoing relationships year round.