By Mike Crowley
The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
MEADVILLE, Pa. — About 40 children from local school districts spent Tuesday evening shopping with law enforcement officers in the annual Shop with a Cop event at Walmart.
Sgt. Nick Mogel, who organized the event along with PENNCREST School District Director of Safety and Security Robert “Rob” Johnston III, has participating in the event each year since he joined Meadville Police Department 16 years ago.
The reason he keeps coming back is clear, Mogel said: “The smile on the kids’ faces when they are able to get paired up with a police officer and once they are able to choose those gifts they get.”
The event consists of two rounds of shopping with about 20 students recommended by principals and guidance counselors from PENNCREST, Crawford Central and Conneaut school districts. Each participant receives a $100 gift card to spend on “anything their little heart desires — within reason,” Mogel said.
The event is funded through donations from businesses, organizations and families to the Meadville and Crawford County chapters of the Fraternal Order of Police, according to Mogel.
The chance to shop with a cop can help forge positive relationships with law enforcement, including with some kids whose families may have previously had negative interactions with police, Mogel said.
“I know in years past, other officers have said they’ve had kids approach them and ask, ‘Do you remember me? I was paired with you in Shop with a Cop,” he recalled. “I think it does have a lasting impact on the kids.”
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