Shop With a Cop: Cranston Police Take Children Shopping

CRANSTON, RI—Jacob Tolenteino, 13, brought a list to the Walmart yesterday for the "Shop with a Cop" event.

Jacob wanted a pair of new shoes. Officer Seth Aldrich and new recruit Leonard McIntrye helped him try on a few pairs.

"Too big," Jacob said and kept hunting for the right fit.

Jacob and the two police department members were among several teams of children and police hunting for presents.

Around 2 p.m. Saturday, the front lobby at the Plainfield Pike Walmart filled up with police officers. But no crime was in progress, unless you count some "steals" and bargains on clothes and merchandise.

"Shop with a Cop" paired officers with some deserving children and families, according to Cranston police Capt. Vincent McAteer, in the Community Outreach Office. Saturday was the first time for this event, but McAteer believes the department will do this again and make it bigger and better.

"We'll probably spend an afternoon," he said and take the children to lunch and then go bowling, he said. As the store Santa walked around, McAteer said next year the police might bring their own Santa along, too.

Cadence Manufacturing donated $1,000 to pay for the holiday shopping spree. Cory Guglietti, executive director of the Cranston YMCA said, “every year, for the past three years Cadence has donated money to support families in need at the Y." So, when the Cranston police approached the Y with the idea for "Shop with a Cop," Guglietti let Cadence know and the company climbed right on board.

The children were invited based on income and circumstances with the assistance of the Cranston YMCA, he said.

"We hope to foster core values such as caring, giving, and fellowship; along with creating positive experiences that the children and officers will remember long after the Holidays pass,” McAteer said. “This is a fantastic way to make a lasting connection in the lives of some really great kids. We hope it will make a difference in their Holidays for them. We know it will for us.”

New recruits, officers and the Chief of Police, Colonel Michael J. Winquist participated yesterday.

Photo Caption: Jacob Tolenteino, 13, shops for shoes with Ofc. Seth Aldrich.

Photo Caption: The police officers and the families at the first "Shop with a Cop" event.

Photo Caption: Ariah Dubreuil, 5, of East Providence, with Ofc. Jaclyn Casaceli at "Shop with a Cop" on Saturday.