'Shop-with-a-Cop' program has OPD looking forward to Christmas

OSBURN ­— Walk into any large department store during the holiday season and you will most likely find a section filled with decorations for a day that doesn’t occur for another two months.

Take our local Walmart for example.

Silver Valley shoppers had the opportunity to pick up a Halloween costume and some candy corn before Labor Day.

Although this may seem like overkill to some, it can be helpful for those who like to plan ahead.

Keeping with this idea, the Osburn Police Department (OPD) is already looking forward to Christmas 2017.

Last year, OPD and members of all the law enforcement agencies in the Silver Valley participated in the Shop-with-a-Cop program.

On Dec. 17, 2016, police officers picked up 28 Silver Valley kids in Osburn and took them shopping at our local Walmart in Smelterville so that they could get themselves (and family members) presents for the holiday.

Darell Braaten, Osburn Police Chief, explained that “the purpose of the event is to foster positive relationships between youth and officers.”

Kindergarten through sixth-grade kids with social or economic needs are selected each year during the end of the year holiday season to shop at one of the local area stores to purchase gifts for members of their immediate family and for themselves.

Each child is given a small amount of money to spend, normally $100, depending on the size of the child’s immediate family.

Approximately 1-2 children are assigned to each police and support personnel, who then escorts them around the store and assists in selecting appropriate gifts for each family member.

After shopping, the children eat lunch with all the law enforcement personnel, wrap their gifts, and continue to get to know the police officers.

The children then return home with the gifts purchased for their family.

This program is completely funded by donations, so the number of children that can participate is limited.

If you feel that you have or know a child that fits the criteria to participate, fill out a nomination form and hand it in to OPD.

Applications will be accepted from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30 and can be found at all Silver Valley law enforcement agencies, city halls, and schools

For any questions regarding the Shop-with-a Cop program, stop by the Osburn Police Department or call (208) 753-9001.