Officers to treat kids to breakfast, lights-and-sirens convoy, holiday shopping

Detectives look over a Christmas shopping list during “Shop with a Cop”.

SALT LAKE CITY—Salt Lake City police officers, Explorers, and civilians will join with other members of law enforcement for “Shop With A Cop” Saturday morning, December 5.

For 25 years the Salt Lake Police Association has taken the lead in organizing the annual holiday tradition for law enforcement across the Salt Lake Valley. This year 100 officers from a dozen agencies will volunteer their time to help 100 children with their Christmas shopping.

The event starts at 6 a.m. at Little America, where children are paired with a police officer. Together the dynamic duos eat breakfast, convoy in police vehicles to Kmart—where Santa will arrive by Utah Highway Patrol helicopter—and then shop for Christmas gifts for the children and their families.

Reporters are invited to join the fun at any point between 6 and 9 a.m. Saturday, December 5.

WHO:  100 children from Meadowlark, James E Moss, Liberty, and Edison elementary schools; Santa; Salt Lake Police Association; officers from Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Sandy, West Valley, West Jordan, South Jordan, Draper, Murray, Utah Highway Patrol, Utah Transit Authority, Airport and Cottonwood Heights.

WHAT:   25^th Annual Shop With A Cop

WHEN: Event Runs 6-9 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2015*
6:00 a.m. Officers paired with children; breakfast at Little America
6:45 a.m. Convoy to Kmart begins
7:30 a.m. Santa’s Chopper lands at Kmart
8-10 a.m. Shopping and wrapping gifts
*= times are rough estimates as event moves between locations

WHERE:  Little America, 500 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Kmart, 1442 W. 9000 S., West Jordan

VISUALS:   Officers meet kids and eat breakfast at Little America
Convoy staged on 500 South (north side of Little America)
Convoy en route to Kmart in West Jordan
Convoy arrives at Kmart
Santa arrives by UHP helicopter at Kmart (approximately 7:30 a.m.)
Officers and kids shop for gifts
Volunteers wrap gifts
Kids talk with Santa

CONTACT:   Detective Michael Millard (801) 799-3211

MEDIA CONTACT:
Public Relations Unit
801.799.NEWS
801.799.6397

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