Seventy Nine Children Shop with Officers, Building Community Trust

On the morning of December 22, 79 children met with officers from across Las Animas County for a community Shop with a Cop event that began with breakfast and ended with a supervised shopping trip at the Trinidad Walmart. Santa and the Grinch visited during breakfast, posed for photos with the children, and accompanied the group during shopping, adding a festive atmosphere to an event designed to foster trust and goodwill.

Officers from the Trinidad Police Department, the Las Animas County Sheriff s Office, the Colorado State Patrol, Port of Entry personnel, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Wildlife all participated, pairing with children to help them pick gifts and enjoy a supervised outing. The joint agency presence underscored a broad local commitment to community engagement and provided multiple touch points for families to interact with public safety personnel in a positive setting.

Chief Tracy Roles reflected on the day, saying "This is a great event and I really appreciate everyone who participated. It was a lot of fun to watch the kids interact with law enforcement and they all loved seeing Santa and the Grinch. I look forward to next year," highlighting the event s role in building relationships that can affect public safety and community well being long term.

Det. Sgt. Jennifer Lay noted growth in participation and local backing, saying "We are so fortunate to have such tremendous support from our community. We have been able to grow the program a little each year," which points to expanding volunteer networks and donor contributions that sustain the program.

Beyond holiday cheer, events like this carry public health and social equity implications. For families experiencing economic strain, access to a free meal and a supervised shopping trip reduces immediate financial stress, and positive interactions with officers can improve mental wellbeing and community cohesion. Organizers thanked officers, volunteers, donors, the food services staff at Trinidad State College, and the Walmart staff for their support. As the program grows, it offers a model for small communities balancing public safety priorities with investment in preventive and community centered approaches.