‘Shop with a Cop’ returns to Vicksburg

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The ‘Shop with a Cop’ program returned to Vicksburg Tuesday, Dec. 16, after years of not having the program.

Under the leadership of Vicksburg Police Chief Larry Burns, the ‘Shop with a Cop’ program which allows selected children a chance to shop with an officer to pick out and buy Christmas presents for themselves.

In its return year, the police department partnered with United Way of West Central Mississippi and Walmart of Vicksburg. United Way helped located and select the children. The officers and department did not know who the children would be until the evening of the program.

The children and their families were shuttled on a Vicksburg tourism bus from United Way to Walmart where they were met with a “sea” of blue lights. VPD lined the side walk in front of Walmart with their police cruisers and kept the blue lights flashing in a light show for the kids.

Even the “Jolly Old Elf” made an appearance, as Santa helped walk the toy aisles of Walmart to help kids find the perfect toys.

This year’s event helped four families with a total of 13 children ages 2 -12 years old.

The police department said there were a number of donors and partners who helped make the event possible. The department said they were grateful to the following: Linda Fondren, Riverwalk Casino, Grand Gulf Entergy, Bally’s Vicksburg Casino, Warren County Baptist Association, Julie Patton Johnson, Glowe Apothecary, Merit Health River Region, Walmart and United Way.