ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Parents whose children benefited from a Christmas shopping spree organised by the St Elizabeth police are commending the division’s leadership for bringing cheer to more than 60 youngsters.

The parents and their children were, on Christmas Eve, treated by the police through the ‘Shop with a Cop’ initiative spearheaded by Superintendent Coleridge Minto.

Emanuel Reid and his mother Sherene commended the police for staging the initiative for a second-consecutive year.

“I feel really happy. I picked up a water gun, a police car, a remote control car and a toy truck,” said young Reid.

His mother, Sherene, expressed thanks to the police.

“I must say that I am overwhelmed that this year he is one of the beneficiaries,” she said.

Another parent hailed the initiative “as a great one as it relates to the children and what the police are doing”.

Ernell Francis, who along with his daughter Niana Francis participated in the event, also had high praises for the St Elizabeth police.

“I really appreciate it, because December here is hectic and this will help out parents, so children can come out and get a gift that they want,” said the elder Francis.

His daughter picked up clothes, a pair of shoes, socks and a set of notebooks.

“I picked up books for school, so when I go back to school it can help me,” she said.

Minto, who is the commanding officer for the St Elizabeth police, told the Jamaica Observer that the shopping spree, which saw children being feted with both gifts and food, involved several stakeholders.

“We now have over 60 students, a well over 100 per cent increase from last year. A number of our students, their parents are supporting this initiative,” Minto said while also expressing thanks to sponsors.

The students are from schools in 11 policing areas across St Elizabeth.

“The police officers across our 11 stations who contributed to this initiative are making the lives of almost 60 children a little better than it would be,” he said.

“I want to again give credit to acting Assistant Commissioner Christopher Phillips who is the brainchild for this initiative,” Minto said.

“We intend to continue to use initiatives such as this to reach our children, particularly those we have in our schools. We are reaching them through our police youth clubs… to ensure that we can provide some form of mentorship and moral compass as we help in guiding them through the stages of life,” added Minto.

“They are, for the first time, getting close to a police officer and to express how appreciative they are in being so close to the police. We intend to use this moment to bridge that gap between the citizens and the police and to ensure that going forward we build the relations even stronger,” he said.

Among the recipients was Black River High student Naomi Anderson who expressed thanks to Superintendent Minto and his team.

“I feel really good, because I got to buy my mother a birthday gift which I couldn’t afford, but thanks to officer Minto and the other police who were there I appreciate it,” she said.