Holiday tradition for local law enforcement | News, Sports, Jobs - The Daily Times
It seems that news has been full of interactions between police and civilians that have gone terribly wrong, even though those interactions are very rare.
That’s one reason why the Shop With a Cop events conducted by the area’s police and sheriff’s departments are important.
And it’s good to see police interaction in a positive light.
For the most part, the men and women who make up our law enforcement agencies are fine public servants. Police work is difficult and challenges each officer to his or her limits. Our police often see people at their worst, their most vulnerable and — sometimes — their most dangerous.
It also must be a relief for them to see children at their best, often passing over themselves to choose toys and gifts for loved ones, full of excitement at the approaching holiday and full of trust in their new friends — the police officers paired with them as their shopping buddies. As the officers spend time with the children, getting to know them, the children also get to know the officers — as friends, as positive influences and as human beings.
The tradition lives on around our area. At each event, a member of law enforcement is paired with a child from a family that might not be as fortunate as others in our region.
Together, they choose gifts up to a maximum dollar amount.
It gives local officers the chance to show their kind hearts and commitment to the community and our children.
Consider: Mingo Junction Police Chief Willie McKenzie III, who coordinated his department’s effort this year. McKenzie said he had waited a long time to be a part of the event. He considered the opportunity to help to be an amazing experience.
And, Ed Laman, the longtime chief of the Wintersville Police Department who has been retired for six years, feels so strongly about the good that comes from helping area children that he continues to help with the annual event presented by Lodge 97 of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Members of law enforcement agencies in Hancock County, including the sheriff’s department and officers from Weirton, Chester and New Cumberland, raised nearly $10,000 that will help the less fortunate children in the Northern Panhandle. That money was generated by the officers participating in the annual No-Shave November event.
The holidays will pass and the children eventually will grow out of their new toys and clothes, but they will never forget what these officers did — they took the time to listen and make them feel special and valued.
source: https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/opinion/editorials/2021/12/holiday-tradition-for-local-law-enforcement/
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