Local Kids Shop With A Cop

11/30/2015 7:02:00 AM Local Kids Shop With A Cop Program spreads good will between police and the public

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Stephen Landry Templeton Police Officer Brian Rosengren assists Emma Piaseczny, 5, of Templeton, and Jameson Praplaski, 4, of Templeton, with their holiday shopping at Wal-Mart on Saturday. ‘... we’re not just going after bad guys, but we’re actually invested in the youth of the community.’ Charlene Van Cott, Templeton officer Stephen Landry News Staff Writer A group of local children did their holiday shopping at Wal-Mart with the assistance of some police officers on Saturday. The event was part of the Shop with a Cop program, an event designed to provide a group of children with a fun afternoon while creating positive relationships with law enforcement. Templeton Police Officer Nicholas Malnati spearheaded the effort, which included about 30 invited children and about a dozen local law enforcement officers. He said the program, which he hopes will become an annual event, was an opportunity for some positive community outreach. “With all the negative stuff that’s going on with law enforcement – and we all see it every day – it was important for us to do something that would show the kids and the adults in the community that we are here to help,” Officer Malnati said. The group, which included children from Templeton, Phil­lipston, Gardner and Orange, met at Narragansett High School for a pizza party before boarding a bus and heading to Wal-Mart for a few hours of holiday shopping. The group then returned to the school to wrap presents. Officer Malnati said the idea was very well-received within the department when he first proposed it to his fellow officers. “Everyone was excited about it,” he said, adding that the event was financed entirely through volunteers and donations. “Every single officer that is here is here on their own time, and they’re happy to be here,” he said. Charlene Van Cott, an officer with the Templeton Police Department, said the Shop with a Cop program was an outstanding way to improve the working relationship between the community and law enforcement. “It really provides an opportunity for (the public) to see that police officers are there to help you and that we’re not just going after bad guys, but we’re actually invested in the youth of the community,” Officer Van Cott said. Phillipston police officer Bill Chapman – who provided a preshopping police dog demonstration for the children with his dog, Whitepaw – said he was pleased to be a part of the event. “Anything we can do to help the kids out, anything we can do communitywise like that, it’s just great to be involved with it,” Officer Chapman said. Courtney Caisse said she was pleased that her son, 8-year-old Wyatt LeRoy of Baldwinville, was taking part in the event. “I think it’s great that he can learn the police are very kind, caring and helpful,” Ms. Caisse said. “It’s a great experience.” Organizers said children were invited via social media to write a letter to their local police department, explaining who they wanted to shop for this season. The number of children selected to participate was dependent on the amount of money donated to the program. “The best part about this is that it’s just the first of many (Shop with a Cop events),” explained Officer Malnati. “This idea has brought everybody together, and we’re going to be doing this every year.”