Bringing holiday cheer to local children and youth, the Cobourg Police Service held its annual “Shop with a Cop” event on December 14.
The purpose of the event is to foster and create positive connections between youth and law enforcement, while also providing children in need an opportunity to embrace the spirit of giving by purchasing gifts for their family and also something for themselves.
Recommended for participation by police, school officials, and social service agencies, 10 young people were paired with uniformed police officers, special constables, and auxiliary members for a festive shopping adventure.
“Shop with a Cop is more than a shopping trip — it’s about building trust, spreading joy, and reminding these kids that they are valued members of our community,” said Detective Constable Danielle McKeen, who first brought the initiative to Cobourg in 2016 after hearing about it from another police service.
After shopping, the group gathered for a lunch courtesy of Domino’s Cobourg, followed by a gift-wrapping session complete with holiday tunes.
Along with Domino’s, the event was supported by Brent Maguire Home Renovations, BV Glazing Systems, Drapeau Automatic Sprinkler Corp, Zel Beauty, the Cobourg Police Association, the Cobourg Police Senior Officers Association, and members of the Cobourg Police Service.
In addition to the sponsors, some members of the community made donations or contributed toward purchases while the group was shopping.
“We’re so grateful to all the donors and generous community members for making this day possible,” McKeen said.
According to the Cobourg Police Service, children that have a good relationship with police are less likely to get into trouble and more likely to seek help from police when they need it.
