Brooks Warren
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
It looks like Santa Claus has competition as a favorite gift-giver for Baltimore County children.
At 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 100 Baltimore County police officers joined 102 children from the 10 precincts and, 30 minutes later, the group invaded the Walmart store in Cockeysville for the 18th annual “Shop With A Cop” program. The event is the oldest of its kind in the state of Maryland.
The children, who teamed up with officer “buddies,” were greeted by members of the Optimists Club of Baltimore County and given $100 to use as they choose. The Dulaney High School choir provided seasonal music.
Once the shopping was completed, the group headed for the Hunt Valley Town Center Outback Steakhouse for breakfast. Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt met with the children and officers at the steakhouse.