Cops help kids get ready for school
Published: July 27, 2006
And the announcer said, “It’s that time again, ladies and gentlemen, for the 11th Annual Shop With a Cop Event.”
Venice Police Officer Dave Aker is one of several key players in the highly acclaimed program.
“Several years ago, the Venice chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and its associate members launched its ‘Shop With a Cop’ back to school program for disadvantaged children … ” Aker said. “By all accounts, the program has been a great success and many children were able to begin the school year better prepared … ”
Yes, it’s the same drill every year, but nobody ever gets tired of it. Put another way, it ain’t broke, so nobody needs to fix it.
The event was held Monday.
“We had 12 children from the first through the 10th grades,” Aker said, “and, there were 10 Venice police officers and staff to ride herd on the kids during the day.”
The event is so exciting and meaningful to the adults, that historically, more officers and staff volunteer than there are children to chaperone.
It’s always a coin toss as to who had the better time, the kids or the cops.
“I’ve had kids come up to me years later and say, ‘Hey, you’re the officer who took me shopping years ago,’ ” Aker said. “It’s a great feeling, you know … ”
Up and at ‘em
The day started when the kids got picked up at the Salvation Army headquarters at 8:30 a.m.
They went to the Venice police station on Ridgewood Avenue, had doughnuts, juice and milk. They also got a tour of the police station.
Venice Police Chief Julie Williams gave each student a backpack.
Then, the cops and kids paired up for the ride down to Wal-Mart in a dozen or so police cars.
Shopped till they dropped
The shopping took about three hours. The kids were just building up a head of steam, but the adults started looking a little bleary-eyed.
The officers and kids shopped from previously prepared lists of school supplies and clothing sizes.
Aker said each student had about $300 to spend.
Any money left over from the private donations will be put into a fund to start next year’s event.
Then, everybody went to Sal and Tony’s Pizzeria for lunch, Bressler’s for ice cream, then home.
“Once again,” Aker said, “because of the caring businesses and individuals in Venice, a dozen students will start school with a great memory and with all the supplies they need.”
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