HALIFAX – Dozens of schoolchildren and uniformed police officers filled the Halifax Shopping Centre on Wednesday morning for a shopping spree like none other.
For the 10th year in a row, the mall and the Halifax Regional Police partnered for the CopShop event.
Fifty children were paired with members of the police force, who acted as their personal shoppers, and received a $200 mall gift card along with a new winter coat from Sport Chek.
“It’s a pretty cool little thing that they do,” said Simon Morrison, 11, as he tried on a new pair of sneakers. “As soon as I heard $200, I automatically thought about a pair of shoes.”
Simon was partnered with Deputy Chief Bill Moore and his son Adam, who helped Simon pick out the shoes and coat.
“Anytime we have an opportunity to have positive interactions with anybody — children or adults — outside of crises, that’s good,” Moore said. “Unfortunately a great deal of our jobs is dealing with crises. These are the fun times.”
The kids gleefully strolled through the mall, picking items from their carefully planned lists.
Many chose presents for themselves along with some gifts for others.
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Nick Gage, a Grade 5 student from Harrietsfield Elementary School, tested different lotions at the Body Shop before picking up a present for his teacher.
“I asked her if she would like anything from the CopShop, so I got her some coconut hand cream,” he said with a smile.
The Halifax Shopping Centre came up with the idea for CopShop a decade ago as a way to bring holiday cheer to local children, and then approached the police force. The event has become so successful, other cities have adopted the idea.
“It is the embodiment of the true Christmas spirit. It’s just an amazing day to be able to see the police and children interact together,” said Stephanie Schnare, the mall’s marketing director.
She said the event also serves to remove preconceived notions children may have of police officers.
“Sometimes they have ideas,” she said. “They may be a little frightened of them, so it really helps to engage with the police officers in a really fun, festive environment.”
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