KAILUA-KONA — For some kids in West Hawaii, a run-in with law enforcement can leave them scared of police.
KAILUA-KONA — For some kids in West Hawaii, a run-in with law enforcement can leave them scared of police.
But as many officers and deputy sheriffs are quick to note, they’re normal people here to help.
What better way to prove that than shopping for gifts?
For at least 18 years now, local law enforcement have participated in Shop with a Cop, an annual event that gives local kids a chance to go on a full shopping spree at Kmart with a member of the team that protects and serves.
This year’s event, which took place early Saturday morning, brought out 50 children from throughout West Hawaii, said Erin Basque, program administrator for Catholic Charities Hawaii.
“It’s a time for kids and family to come together and bridge relationships so they aren’t always afraid,” she said.
Basque said her role was to identify kids in foster care, social service agencies or in community schools to participate in the day’s event.
She said the program specifically looks for kids in need, particularly those who might have had less-than-positive encounters with police in their lives.
In addition to the $50 they receive for their shopping spree, Kmart also provided breakfast, gave each child a wrapped gift and a shopping bag with goodies.
“It’s wonderful,” Basque said. “The kids are excited; the parents are appreciative.”
Kmart store manager Edith Canfield has been with the store for nine years.
“It’s one of the most well-organized and thought through that I’ve been personally involved with and witnessed,” she said.
Canfield said she believes in the event’s goals and that she’s witnessed the growth of kids whose lives have been touched by their participation in the event.
She said she hopes the event demonstrates that retailers like Kmart have a vested interest in being a part of the community and that the store is here to help.
Basque said there are no limits to what kids can purchase from the store, though the bulk of purchases are — you guessed it — toys.
Kealakekua resident Myanne Huerta brought her three kids after their school counselor told her they were selected for the program.
“It’s a blessing that I’ve been chosen,” she said.
Her kids, she said, are afraid of police, so Shop with a Cop is a chance for them to get to know members of law enforcement personally.
After going through the store, all her kids were excited and it seems to have eased their fears about police.
“Maybe one day they’ll be inspired to become cops when they’re older,” she said.
And when the spree inevitably goes over the limit, officers don’t hesitate to cover the difference. Basque said one officer spent more than $100 to help cover several of the event’s participants.
It’s not just the kids who get a kick out of it. Sgt. Roylen Valera of the Hawaii Police Department said getting officers to sign up for the event was a breeze.
“As soon as we put the call out that it’s happening on this day,” he said of when officers start to volunteer.
“It’s so well established,” he added. “There really isn’t much to do except put the word out.”
Valera said the event drew 17 Hawaii Police Department officers and three state Department of Public Safety deputy sheriffs — all looking forward to the chance to make a kid’s day.
“We can have fun,” said Deputy Sheriff Dustin Ballesteros. “This is definitely fun. It’s worth waking up for.”
Ballesteros said connecting with children in this sort of environment goes a long way to establishing relationships in the community.
“We’re talking to the kids at their level, and we’re talking about toys,” he said.