Business & Tech

Baltimore County Kids "Shop With a Cop"

Police, community gather to support disadvantaged youth.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, police officers from the various Baltimore County precincts accompanied a group of underprivileged kids in the 10th annual "Shop With a Cop" event, where participants were invited to select gifts from the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1 Frankel Way in Cockeysville. Following the shopping excursion, the kids and officers were provided a free lunch at the Outback Steakhouse in the Hunt Valley Towne Centre.

Hosted by the Optimist Clubs of Cockeysville, Timonium, Hereford, Greater Jacksonville and Towson University, 104 children, chosen by Baltimore County Social Services, were given $100 gift cards to Wal-Mart and a personal police assistant to help them find gifts for themselves, family and friends.

"It's neat to see the kids come in with the cops," said Mark Harris, 55, lieutenant governor of the five Optimist Clubs. "These kids are so happy. Sometimes they don't even get a coat unless they come here."

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The day began when the police officers picked up their assigned kids in police cruisers with sirens blaring and lights flashing. Although initially hesitant, the kids eventually warmed up to the officers and started joking around with them, some even sported the officers' hats.

"This is the most awesome event," said Pam Rutledge, president of the Cockeysville Police & Community Relations Council (PCRC). "I don't think enough people realize police officers do things like this."

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Rutledge had challenged the nine PCRCs of Baltimore County to sponsor a child at the event. Only four did– Cockeysville, Parkville, Woodlawn and Franklin.

Cockeysville Precinct 7 sponsored 13-year-old Ed who was accompanied by Cpl. Pat Zito.

"This is Ed's first year doing "Shop With a Cop," Zito said. "Some of the other kids have been here two or three years. I just love doing this."

"Shop With a Cop" originated 10 years ago when the regional manager of the Outback Steakhouse spoke with her husband, a Baltimore County police officer, about a similar event she had seen orchestrated by officers in Anne Arundel County.  The Baltimore County tradition was born shortly after. It proved so successful that Optimist Clubs all over Maryland started following suit and hosting their own "Shop With a Cop" events. This year, more than 600 children have been served across the state.

"This is a lot of fun for the cops and the kids. It's a great community event and brings out so many volunteers," said Capt. J. Martin Lurz of Precinct 7. "Sometimes you have to remind the kids to pick something out for themselves because they are so focused on getting things for their family."

This certainly wasn't an issue for 4-year-old Keion.

"I'm getting a battleship, Toy Story 3 and a police car."

"Remember you have to get something for your grandmother," said Keion's new friend, Officer Brad Lewis, 36.

"Oh yeah," Keion said. "I also got a Peek-a-Boo baby for my sister."

With Keion riding in the shopping cart, it was clear that the pair was having a good time.

"It's very enjoyable to help someone else a little less fortunate," Lewis said.

With so many cops participating in "Shop With a Cop," residents are likely concerned about who is guarding the streets.

"No worries," said Lurz. "We make sure that there are still cops on patrol. But, this is probably the safest place to be right now."

With the morning's shopping trip behind them, the officers and kids concluded the day with a relaxing meal, on the house, at Outback. 


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