After nearly a decade, Prairie Village’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ continues to brighten holidays for group of youngsters

Board games, fuzzy socks and Legos filled shopping carts as Prairie Village police officers spread out through the aisles at Target in Mission to bring the holiday spirit to 10 elementary children on Thursday afternoon.

The Prairie Village Police Department held its ninth annual “Shop with a Cop” event, which provides children the chance to pick out presents for themselves and their loved ones. This year, each child had a shopping budget of $250. Funds for the event were secured through partnerships across the city, said Prairie Village Police Chief Tim Schwartzkopf.

“It gives us an opportunity to give back a little bit to the community,” Schwartzkopf said. “In partnership with the Prairie Village Municipal Foundation, local businesses and other donors, we’re able to provide a fun shopping experience to some kids from Prairie Village.”