8-year old Adriana pushed her shopping cart through brightly lit aisles, right past the electronics section and into the kids’ area. By the time she was finished, the cart was filled with new toys and clothes, just in time for the holiday season.

“I’m really happy to be here today,” she said. “I got a Barbie and some clothes for her to wear.”

Adriana’s partner during the holiday shopping spree, a uniformed Detroit Police officer, reminded her about the clothes she had picked out for herself.

“Oh yeah! I got some pajamas too,” she said. “I really wanted to get something that was comfy.”

Adriana was one of 24 children from across Detroit who joined the DPD’s Neighborhood Police Officers for the 2019 “Shop With a Cop” event on December 5, in partnership with Target’s “Heroes and Helpers Holiday Shopping,” in Warren.

Officers joined children, aged 17-years and younger, from each Detroit Police Precinct for a fun-filled Christmas shopping spree sponsored by Target. The store provided each child with gift cards, to be used during the event, worth $100.

“This is just an awesome experience,” said Neighborhood Police Officer Juan Lebron. “I think officers helping kids at such young ages will make a big difference. A lot of kids these days are afraid of the police, so this helps create a stronger bond.”

The annual community event is also sponsored by the Detroit Public Safety Foundation.

Activities like these by the Neighborhood Police Officers have been a major focus of the Detroit Police Department in recent years, aimed at building a partnership between them and the people they serve.

“Since I returned to the Detroit in 2013, we have made great efforts to promote transparency and trust between the Police Department and the public,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said. “Programs such as our Neighborhood Police Officers have given us an opportunity to reach out to the members of our community.”

For the children and parents taking part in this year’s “Shop With a Cop” event, that effort has been successful not only in bringing the community together, but also in spreading some holiday cheer.

“You never really get to see this often,” said Levarie Gamble, a mother whose young daughter took part in the event. “Usually you see a lot of bad things on the news, but this is such a positive thing, seeing police reaching out and helping children. Especially during this time of year.”

For Levarie’s daughter, along with the two dozen children joining her, Christmas came early, thanks to the generosity and dedication of Target and the members of the Detroit Department’s Neighborhood Police.

“Every day she was saying she couldn’t wait to go shopping at Target,” Levarie said. “My daughter was so excited. Being here with the police has made this holiday season even more special for us.”