Shop with a Cop Changes in 2025
Shop with a Cop will continue this year on December 6th, but it is returning to its roots, serving families experiencing various potential hardships. It is designed to involve children, ages 4 to 12, in positive interactions with police officers in their community. Originally, the program served foster children, who often were in difficult situations involving law enforcement.
In more recent years, it has been based on financial need. Demand has grown to an unsustainable level. This required the department to decline approximately 50 percent of applicants last year based on income or previous participation. These same children are eligible for and many also participate in the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District’s Children’s Sharing Tree.
This year, school counselors developed a list of children to invite based on their knowledge of their circumstances, which may include law enforcement contact, financial hardship, or adversity. As a result, there will be no application process for Shop with a Cop.
SHPD children’s programs, Shop with a Cop and the Teen Sharing Tree, are funded entirely by donations, which may be given 24/7 at the dispatch window. Also, for several years, ATF Services has accepted donations for the Police Department and Fire and Ambulance District programs during a free breakfast held on Thanksgiving Day. These donations are critical to providing these programs to Sweet Home’s underprivileged children. Our thanks to each of these donors!
At this time, SHPD is seeking donations of new stuffed animals, medium or smaller, for the Shop with a Cop program. Donations may be dropped off at the Police Department.
For more information call (541) 367-5181 or email smorgan [at] sweethomor.gov (smorgan[at]sweethomor[dot]gov).