Kids get a charge at Cranston’s first Shop With a Cop

The Cranston Herald ·

On Dec. 10, many shoppers at the Walmart on Plainfield Pike in Cranston were wondering what all the police activity was all about. In entry at the store stood Chief of Police, Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Police Officers and Cadets. They were not there for any crime, but they were there to take children, based on income and circumstances, selected by the Cranston YMCA, shopping for Christmas Presents. The first Cranston Shop With A Cop was a success.

With the support of Cadence Manufacturing with a donation of $1,050 and Cranston Police Charitable Foundation with a donation of $450 allowed for twelve children to shop. The police officers were handed gift cards and Captain Vin McAteer assigned each officer to a child.

"Today was an uplifting experience for all the Officers, including myself, who volunteered their time to shop with children from our community and beyond with the hopes of making their Christmas bright. More important than shopping was the positive interaction that took place between the Officers and the children, said Chief of Police, Colonel Michael J. Winquist.

Five Cranston Police Department recruits scheduled to be sworn in as Officers on Dec. 20 also took part in this community outreach effort. I believe that this was an invaluable experience for them as they are about to embark on their law enforcement careers. Wearing the badge is a privilege, providing us with the unique opportunity to serve as role models and help those who are less fortunate, said Winquist.

It did not take long to pair up the children to an officer and young Ariah Dubreuil, age 5, shopped with Cranston Police Officer Jaclyn Casaceli. Ariah was happy that she could shop with a female officer and bought herself some toys, including an Easy Bake Oven. She was also able to purchase a present for her mother with Officer Casaceli by her side and making suggestions and keeping track of the spending money.

Ariah jumped onto the front of the shopping carriage and looked at Officer Casaceli and put her hand in the air and said “tally ho, off to the toy department!”

“I had fun shopping with Jackie and looking through the store and picking out presents,” said Ariah.

“Captain McAteer called me before I even left the Walmart parking,” said Cory Guglietti, Executive Director of the Cranston YMCA. “He had a lot to tell me; he thought it was one of the best events the department has done. The kids stole the show. I had the chance to find every officer shopping with their kid. I think the smile on the face of the officers was bigger than the smile from the kids. The police had a blast with it.

A few of the Cadence employees came out and asked if they could follow around some of the pairs. The feeling and the spirit of the event was great and I think they just wanted to see it. None of this would have been possible without the support from Cadence and the police. We can't thank them enough.”

Ariah and Office Jackie smiled the entire time as they got to know each other and have fun shopping.

“I would love to do this again next year,” said Officer Casaceli. Ariah and Officer Casaceli just may get her wish to shop again next year as the Cranston YMCA, the Cranston Police Department and Cadence Manufacturing are already making plans to expand on the program and help more children in need next year.

“Vin and I have already started talking about next year,” said Guglietti. “We had some kids that we weren't able to help. We are hoping next year we can raise more money to expand the program and help more families.”

At the end of the day, Ariah felt she needed to talk to Chief Winquist to tell ask him if she can go shopping with Jackie again next year. Chief Michael J. Winquist, looked down at Ariah and said “Sure” with a smile.

“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,” said Captain Vincent McAteer. “This was a fantastic way to make a lasting connection in the lives of some really great kids. We hope it made a difference in their Holidays for them. We know it did for us.”

For information on this program, contact Captain Vincent McAteer in the Cranston Police Departments Office of Community Outreach at 477-5127.