By Douglas W. Motley
Senior Writer
Twenty mountain area children who might otherwise be deprived of a Merry Christmas got to go shopping at Walmart in Redlands with sheriff’s deputies on Saturday, Dec. 9, as participants in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s annual “Shop with a Cop” program.
Sponsored by the Sheriff’s Employee’s Benefit Association (SEBA) and the sheriff’s department, more than a dozen such events are held, countywide, throughout the month of December, providing nearly $100,000 in much-deserved cheer.
“Santa Claus should always come to those who are most vulnerable in our communities to grant wishes and spread cheer,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus, who added, “Protecting our communities and inspiring hope is what deputy sheriffs do, and through this program we can assist Santa Claus.”
From 8 to 10 a.m. on Dec. 6, deputies from the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station were joined by others from Yucaipa, Big Bear and Highland in maneuvering shopping carts up and down the aisles of the Redlands Walmart store with parents and children tagging along as they picked out warm, winter clothing, games and toys.
Twin Peaks Detective Alisha Rosa helped 6-year-old Ethan, who is in the first grade at VOE Elementary School, find a toy police patrol unit.
Twin Peaks Detective Alisha Rosa told the Alpine Mountaineer that, through generous donations from SEBA, each child was allotted $200, of which $100 was budgeted for clothing and the remainder for other items.
“Our members really enjoy participating in this program, not only because of the gifts and toys, but because of the time we get to spend shopping with these kids,” said SEBA President Grant Ward. “Our members get to bond with the kids, outside of any law enforcement capacity, and simply have fun with them, getting to know them, their interests and helping them pick out some cool stuff.”
Lili, a 3-year-old Rimforest resident, who is a preschool student at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School, was encountered in one of the many store aisles with her mom and Twin Peaks Deputy William Zerbe, who was helping her pick out toys and clothing. Zerbe and Lili’s mom were all smiles as the 3-year-old clung to a colorful winter jacket.
Seven-year-old Abel, accompanied by Deputy Swanson and Law Enforcement Explorer V. Barron, was beaming with pride as he stood next to a shopping cart filled with lots of cool stuff.
Seven-year-old Abel, from Yucaipa, was found at a checkout counter, accompanied by Detective Swanson and Twin Peaks station Law Enforcement Explorer Capt. V. Barron. Abel was beaming with pride as he stood next to a shopping cart filled with lots of cool stuff. By the time the event ended at 10 a.m., at least a dozen more children had a chance to swarm the aisles of Walmart for more cool stuff.
Ten Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station personnel volunteered for the Shop With a Cop event.
SEBA has provided the Shop with a Cop program for more than two decades. The association represents deputies, probation and corrections officers and supervisors, as well as DA, coroner and fraud investigators.
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