‘Cops are still doing good’

Seven-year-old Neveya Miller was one of nine special shoppers who strolled down the aisles of Walmart Saturday morning for the Newton Police Department’s annual Shop With A Cop program.

She and the eight other Newton youth scoured the superstore’s shelves over the weekend in search of the perfect holiday presents for their families and themselves.

That special Saturday, Neveya walked out of the store with a Little Live Pets kitten doll, a Christmas-themed emoji plush and a few other neat toys. But the 7-year-old also left Walmart with one more special gift from NPD — a brand new friend named Officer Dillon Lavely.

“We walked around. He annoyed me. When I told him to stop following me, he kept turning around and moving. I told him not to. That is why he isn’t going to get any presents,” Neveya teased with a huge smile. “The (police officers) were cool.”

In the 12th year of hosting the annual holiday event, the Newton community came together to brighten a few local children’s holidays.

With an allowance of $100 to spend per child, this Newton Police Association program pairs kids with a NPD officer to shop at the Newton Walmart. At the store, the kids and officers were treated to cookies, hot chocolate and coffee while they shopped.

After the young gifters finished up their shopping, the festivities were then moved to the Masonic Lodge where they wrapped gifts, enjoyed a pizza lunch and met the one and only, Santa Claus.

According to the program organizers, the reason why they do it is simple — they do it for the kids.

“Being able to connect with the kids, showing the positive side of law enforcement and being able to make a big difference to them,” Officer Julie Britton said. “This may be a big Christmas for them. It melts my heart ... I got to say, I knew nothing about Pokemon before this. So being able to see that, that is her passion and she loves it, was great.”

Britton has been participating in the program for six years now. This year, she was partnered with new Newton resident, Lillyana Duff.

According to Lillyana’s mother, Jenniffer Duff, the 10-year-old is still getting used to Newton since moving to the area in March. She said when she learned her teacher signed her daughter up for Shop With A Cop this year through the United Way of Jasper County, she was pleasantly surprised.

“Usually, we just do Christmas from Santa. She always said she wants to get us stuff, and she wishes she had money. I don’t always have the extra cash,” she said. “I think it is definitely a great message they are sending ... It shows they are still trying to have that one-on-one small town feel.”

Jenniffer said in addition to helping her family feel more welcome to Newton, this program helped Lillyana develop a positive relationship with the local law enforcement. The mother said this is an important relationship she wants her daughter to develop.

“With the news and everything, cops don’t have the greatest reputation. Hopefully, this shows people that cops are still doing good,” Jenniffer Duff said. “I don’t want my daughter to be afraid of police officers.”

The police officers who participated in the program agreed they want to grow this relationship to help create a better and safer community in the future.

“We don’t know what Lily is going to do in the future,” Britton said. “If this is something that is going to get her into law enforcement or if she is a witness to something a couple years down the road, she will remember this positive experience.”

The United Way of Jasper County, the Masonic Lodge, Walmart and HIRTA Public Transit were are key contributors to making the annual shopping spree possible. The funds for the program were provided by a Newton Police Association fundraiser.

“I have done it every year since I have been here. Each time, I get a different kid. Each time, it is a lot of fun,” Lavely said. “I don’t know why anyone would want to stop this. There is nothing negative about it. It is always good. We will continue to do it for years to come, and so will I.”

Event organizer, Officer Jon Schuler said about half of NPD’s patrol force came out to volunteer at the event.

“We had about eight officers show up, from Chief (Rob Burdess) to our lowest guy,” he said. “The thing that is so beneficial about this is the experience we have with the kids. Obviously, it is stressful for everyone during the holidays. It might help the kids families a little bit.”

And many of them said they also had a lot of fun.

“I liked everything,” Lillyana said. “Is was very fun. I think Shop With A Cop is the best time of the year next to Christmas.”

Contact Anthony Victor Reyes at areyes@newtondailynews.com.