The holiday spirit was in full display as Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) hosted its second annual Shop with a Cop event focused on local middle school students. According to the city's report, the students were selected by officials from Johnson City Schools, representing both Indian Trail and Liberty Bell middle schools, to spend a day of lunch and holiday shopping with officers at The Mall at Johnson City.
"Middle school is an important time in a young person’s life, and this event allows us to engage with students in a way that is fun and meaningful," Chief Eric Dougherty stated. Lunch and shopping weren't the only pieces of the festive tapestry, as students also received a food box courtesy of Johnson City Schools, and a protein voucher, provided by the JCPD, was paired to accompany the boxes, as mentioned on the city's website.
Funding for the event, which allowed each student to have a set budget for purchases, was sourced through local business contributions as well as donations from law enforcement families, area organizations, and community individuals. "Events like this are achieved through strong community partnerships and the dedication of our officers," Chief Dougherty told Johnson City's official website.
Significantly impacting the local youth, the Shop with a Cop events expanded holiday cheer to nearly 230 children this year. While the earlier event of the season catered to elementary-aged children, including their siblings, totaling 197 youths, thirty middle school-aged youth attended today's event, all of whom received an opportunity to stroll through the mall, their eyes wide with the possibility of both giving and receiving, in the company of Johnson City's finest.
