Shop with a cop a success, but actual shopping curtailed

The Columbia Falls Police Department was still able to hold its 20th annual Shop with a Cop event this year, despite festivities being trimmed down due to coronavirus concerns.

The event usually features kids spending a jovial afternoon shopping for Christmas presents with local law enforcement after being shuttled via a memorable patrol vehicle ride to a nearby department store, most recently Target.

This year the event was much more subdued after the department eliminated the patrol shuttle and in-store shopping. Instead officers and staff compiled gift boxes using digital “wishlists” created by kids and their parents that could then be picked up at city hall in an effort to maintain social distancing.

Typically, after being dropped off by parents at the station and following the wide-eyed, question-riddled ride-along in a patrol vehicle, kids would arrive at the store greeted by hot chocolate and cookies, Santa, and, more often than not, a host of police spouses there to help chaperone the children around the aisles, said officer Craig McConnell.

In previous years officers and children would frequently end up at the check-out stand to find fellow customers had spontaneously donated, and the kids’ faces would light up as they were told they could go back to pick out another item, said McConnell.

Despite this year’s restrictions, “There was no way we weren’t going to figure out a way to get it done,” McConnell said.

Several department members, including officers McConnell, Brandon Rice, police chief Clint Peters and staff member Angela Burns were present at last week’s pick-up, helping shuttle boxes to vehicles and exchanging banter with the children as they dug through their gifts.

While the department hopes to resume normal festivities next season, staff were pleased to note they were still able to reach the same number of children as last year: 14 kids, ranging from six months to 13 years of age.

According to McConnell, the department hopes to continue to grow the program. This year the event had a budget of about $3,000, which was financed both by the Columbia Falls Police Association through a combination of individual community member donations and various fundraising efforts, as well as a generous contribution of credit by Target.

Within the last several years, Columbia Falls Police have also helped grow the program around the valley, helping both the Kalispell Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office build their own Shop with a Cop events.

Community members can contribute to the fund by making donations to the Columbia Falls Police Association.