Behind the Badge
With the recent loss of her grandmother, Jazmine Aranjo has been having a rough holiday season.
On Dec. 11, the Anaheim PD made things a little brighter for the 8-year-old.
The agency paired Jazmine with an officer at its annual Shop with a Cop event.
Anaheim PD officers gather before teaming up with their kid partners at the start of APD’s Shop with a Cop at Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“Thanks to the Anaheim PD, we will have good memories (of this Christmas),” said Sofia Romero, Jazmine’s mother.
Jazmine, a third-grader and participant in the APD’s Junior Cadet program, was among 50-plus children the APD hosted at its annual shopping spree, held this year early Monday morning, Dec. 11, at a Target on Euclid Street.
Anaheim PD Acting Chief Julian Harvey talks with his officers before teaming them up with children at the start of APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“She’s a very good kid,” said Romero, a member of the APD’s Citizen Academy. “She loves to help special education kids, and has a very great heart.”
This year, more than 80 Anaheim Police Department personnel participated in the event, in which officers (including the acting chief and deputy chief) were matched with a child in need to help them buy gifts for themselves and their families with a donated $100 Target gift card.
Santa greets children as they wait in line to enter the Target in Anaheim at the start of APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Other APD personnel worked on coordinating the event, wrapping gifts and handling set-up and break down.
“Every person worked hard and represented the department well,” said Sgt. Ray Drabek.
Of the 51 total children selected for this year’s Shop With a Cop event, 40 came from the agency’s Cops 4 Kids and Junior Cadet programs, six from the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP) and five from the nonprofit My Safe Harbor, which is focused on single moms and provides parenting classes.
Sgt. Rodney Duckwitz and his shopping partner, Juan Pablo Gutierrez, 10, gets a high-five from Anaheim PD’s Car Seat Check-up Bear as they enter Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
When a child’s overall purchases exceeded $100, the officer in charge forked over the rest to satisfy the bill.
“We had several officers in attendance that came in on their own time and gave over $100 extra,” Drabek said.
In total, Anaheim PD officers and other personnel contributed a combined $2,000 out of their own pockets for a total of more than $7,100 given.
Santa greets children as they wait in line to enter the Target at the start of APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“Everyone is humble and views it as a team effort,” Drabek said. “These folks are thankful for what they’ve been given, and they wanted to give back.”
Ariel Rodriguez, 10, had been looking forward to Shop with a Cop ever since she learned she had been selected as a participant.
Ariel, a Junior Cadet, bought gifts for herself and her 7-year-old sister.
Members of the Anaheim PD cheer on the kids as they enter Target at APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“In the Junior Cadet program, my daughter learned respect and manners,” said Ariel’s mother, Elizabeth Rodriguez. “She’s looking forward to growing up and becoming a cop.”
So is Jagdiel Torres, 9, whose gifts included a game for his brother and a phone case for his mother.
“I behaved well and got good grades,” Jagdiel said when asked why he believed he had been selected as a Shop with a Cop participant.
Santa talks to children as they wait in line to enter the Target in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
He glanced up at his shopping buddy, APD Officer Ruben Hasani.
“He’s the best partner I’ve ever had,” Jagdiel said.
Behind the Badge Photographer Steven Georges contributed to this story.
Anaheim PD Sgt. Rodney Duckwitz helps Juan Pablo Gutierrez, 10, find just the right “Despicable Me” toy during APD’s Shop with a Cop at Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Sgt. Brian Paqua with his shopping partner, 10-year-old Issac Orozco.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Issac Orozco, 10, tells his shopping partner, Anaheim PD Sgt. Brian Paqua, to go out for a pass as they find the right kind of football during APD’s Shop with a Cop at Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Officer Mari Borkowski shops for challenging games with Marbella Garcia, 9.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Acting Chief Julian Harvey pauses for a photo with his shopping partner, 9-year-old Ulises Saavedra.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer Mark Berger gets a hug from 9-year-old Alieen Ramirez’s dad, Will, as he thanks him for taking his daughter on a special Christmas shopping trip during APD’s Shop with a Cop at Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Nine-year-old Alieen Ramirez flashes a big smile as she walks out of Target with Anaheim PD Officer Mark Berger at the conclusion of their shopping trip for APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Nine-year-old Alieen Ramirez is all smiles with her dad, Will, after Anaheim PD Officer Mark Berger took her on a Christmas shopping trip at Target during APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Acting Chief Julian Harvey has his hands full as he and his shopping partner, 9-year-old Ulises Saavedra, walk out of Target.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Members of the Anaheim PD gather outside of the Target on Euclid Street in Anaheim with their shopping partners at the start of APD’s Shop with a Cop.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
