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D.C. police turn into holiday helpers for local children

Kristi King | kking@wtop.com

December 10, 2015, 11:14 PM

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Officer Myra Jordan talks to children during the “Shop with a Cop!” event, using American Sign Language. The little boy pictured here wrapped his arms around Jordan’s legs, giving her a long hug. He said he did it to say, “Thank you, thank you.” (WTOP/Kristi King)
Officer Myra Jordan talks to children during the “Shop with a Cop!” event, using American Sign Language. The little boy pictured here wrapped his arms around Jordan’s legs, giving her a long hug. He said he did it to say, “Thank you, thank you.” (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Officer Carmichael Humble advised Sean – who was interested in “everything ‘Star Wars,’” to stay away from big ticket items so he’ll have a lot of presents to open on Christmas. "We want him to have a good time, but we want him to be wise utilizing his money," Humble explained. (WTOP/Kristi King)
Officer Carmichael Humble advised Sean — who was interested in “everything ‘Star Wars,’” to stay away from big ticket items so he’ll have a lot of presents to open on Christmas. “We want him to have a good time, but we want him to be wise utilizing his money,” Humble explained. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
Before the shopping event kicked off, participants gathered at Faith Moravian Church in Northeast D.C. Kids even had a chance to meet with Santa! (WTOP/Kristi King)
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier kicks off the "Shop with a Cop!" event. (WTOP/Kristi King)
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier kicks off the “Shop with a Cop!” event. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
(WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
"Blessed are the children, for they are gifts from God," Officer Taylor says, at Faith Moravian Church. (WTOP/Kristi King)
“Blessed are the children, for they are gifts from God,” Officer Taylor says, at Faith Moravian Church. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
(WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier and Shaniah loved an animated monkey toy. During their spree, Lanier advised Shaniah to prioritize her purchases to make the best use of the $100. Her first selection was a leopard print coat for her little sister. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
(WTOP/Kristi King)
After their mini game of hoops, Officer Casey and Aniyah set off to look for a real basketball. (WTOP/Kristi King)
After their mini game of hoops, Officer Casey and Aniyah set off to look for a real basketball. (WTOP/Kristi King)
WTOP/Kristi King
(WTOP/Kristi King)
(WTOP/Kristi King)
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Officer Myra Jordan talks to children during the “Shop with a Cop!” event, using American Sign Language. The little boy pictured here wrapped his arms around Jordan’s legs, giving her a long hug. He said he did it to say, “Thank you, thank you.” (WTOP/Kristi King)
Officer Carmichael Humble advised Sean – who was interested in “everything ‘Star Wars,’” to stay away from big ticket items so he’ll have a lot of presents to open on Christmas. "We want him to have a good time, but we want him to be wise utilizing his money," Humble explained. (WTOP/Kristi King)
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier kicks off the "Shop with a Cop!" event. (WTOP/Kristi King)
"Blessed are the children, for they are gifts from God," Officer Taylor says, at Faith Moravian Church. (WTOP/Kristi King)
After their mini game of hoops, Officer Casey and Aniyah set off to look for a real basketball. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WASHINGTON — About 100 children and their Metropolitan Police Department helpers had $100 to spend on holiday gifts in the “Shop with a Cop!” event Thursday at Walmart’s Fort Totten store in Northeast.

A spontaneous and unexpected hug from a child caused D.C. Police Officer Myra Jordan to begin crying.

“These kids really appreciate this program,” Jordan said, while choking back tears.

The children — who filled shopping carts with Barbies, basketballs and Star Wars figures — were chosen based on need and merit, such as improving grades in school.

“When we see a marked improvement we have to go back and show them that we’re proud of them,” says D.C. police Sgt. Sonja Flipping. “This is one of our resources for doing that.”

Thursday’s event was the second recently for MPD officers helping area children on shopping sprees. Last week, Heroes & Helpers went shopping at the Columbia Heights Target.

“You see all the smiling faces here,” says Joseph Persichini Jr., Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. Police Foundation, while scanning the room of children and officers gathered at Faith Moravian Church before the shopping trip.

The Police Foundation funds all the department’s outreach programs with the help of the business community.

“It’s been a very difficult year for law enforcement, but days like today are for everyone — for the police officers, for the kids and for our relationship with the community,” Persichini says.

Saying the event is an effort to tear down walls between police and the community, Flipping is involved in six grant-funded programs the police department has with young people, but likes “Shop with a Cop!” best.

“We get to spend time and interact on a real personal level. It lets our youth know that the police are human. We’re everyday people,” she says.

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May 5, 2024 | 'It lets, most importantly, our youth know that the police are human' (WTOP's Kristi King reports.)
Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.

kking@wtop.com

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