2024 SPD ‘Shop with A Cop’

The holiday season brings a lot of joy and happiness. Each person reflecting upon those things that mean the most to them. For some, it may be family and friends for others it may be the celebration of Christ. For those in Law Enforcement, it professionally means that calls for service will increase and the demand for law enforcement services is at its highest point. However, each year for the past 14 years, the men and women of law enforcement have shared this busy time of year by taking time to give some children a special experience. The Swainsboro Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop Program allows law enforcement officers the chance to give some Christmas cheer to a select group of children. This year, the agency received an overwhelming number of applications of which 51 children were selected. As in years past, the 2024 program that was held on Thursday, December 12, was a great success. Law enforcement officers from 10 different law enforcement agencies volunteered their time to take a child shopping for Christmas.

This wonderful program was made possible in 2024 through grant funds received by Swainsboro Police Department from Wal-Mart Cooperation and was expanded this year, thanks in part to funds received from generous donations from the community.

The children and officers met at the Swainsboro City Auditorium and were introduced to his or her officer that would be taking that child shopping for Christmas. The event then started with a police escort from the auditorium to Wal-Mart at which time the children are happily escorted by his or her volunteer officer in parade fashion. After arriving at Walmart, children and officers began walking the store in an effort to fill the child’s Christmas wish. Some went straight for a new bicycle while others filled the buggy with multiple items on their list.

The Swainsboro Police Department, along with the other many law enforcement agencies involved with this program, extends its appreciation to those caring individuals that continue to support this special event for our children.

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