Hundreds Of Kids 'Shop With A Cop' In Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - Holiday shopping looked a little different inside the Target store in Dorchester Monday night. A sea of Boston police officers was seen everywhere.
"I like police cops," one six-year-old told WBZ. The little boy was among 300 kids from across the city picked to participate in the Boston police department's annual 'Shop with a Cop: Heroes and Helpers' event.
"It's just a great event to give back to the community," one patrolman told WBZ. Mayor Marty Walsh said his foundation donated $10,000 to help kids Christmas shop.
"I've watched police officers when they get to the register, when the kids pick out more than that's allotted and they put their hand in their own pocket and pay for it," said Mayor Walsh.
BPD Commissioner Bill Evans also attended. "It's special," Evans said. "This is the fun part of our job. It really is. All of our officers volunteer and to see the look on their faces, it's priceless."
Each face represents a different story. Ten-year-old Arianna Mota of Jamaica Plain lost her oldest brother 19-year-old Carlos Rodriguez back in October to gun violence. His killer was never caught.
"I'm happy because my kids are happy," said Arianna's mother Yoselin Rodriguez.
The event was a brief moment of joy for Rodriguez. This will be the first Christmas she spends without all of her children.
"She's been a joy to take around. She does her own math so she knows how much money she spent," said Ofc Linda E. Standford.
Officer Standford was paired with Arianna. This is the officer's second time volunteering in Shop with a Cop.
"It's rewarding because you see the kids and their smile and they're having a good time and the parents are happy that they're having a good time," expressed Officer Standford.
