By Bradly Gill
News Editor
As the season of giving approaches, the Camden Police Department is holding a fundraiser to support its annual Shop with a Cop program.
"Shop with a Cop program is a charitable program that helps connect police officers with children in our community. This program allows children to see a positive side to law enforcement," Dana Wetherbee, Camden Police Public Information officer said. "It helps police officers establish a friendly relationship with children while building strong community ties by coming together for a common purpose and developing a bond between the police officers and children involved in the event."
To help fund the annual event, the Camden Police Department is selling commemorative Christmas ornaments for $10. The ornaments can be purchased at the Camden Police Station, 1 Police Dr. SW. All proceeds will go to the Shop with a Cop program.
Previously the program had been funded by a grant from Wal-Mart, but Wetherbee said that extra steps and "red tape" had been added to the grant process this year, so the department decided to fund the program in house.
"At the beginning of the event, the children are given a Wal-Mart gift card to purchase any items they want. The police officer acts as a companion throughout the shopping event," Wetherbee explained.
She said the children who ultimately participate in the program are selected by school counselors at Ouachita County schools
"We'll have Bearden, Harmony Grove, Fairview," Wetherbee said. "It could be an underprivileged child, it could be a kid that needs a pick me up, just had a hard year for whatever reason. We just want to reach those kids that aren't going to have a great Christmas."
Wetherbeee added, "This is a program we look forward to every year, because the officers get to come and let their hair down and get to be a kid and just have fun. They shop with that kid one on one."