KINGSTON, Jamaica — Corporate entities have significantly bolstered a cherished police-community outreach program with substantial financial contributions aimed at expanding its reach. The Clarendon Police Division has received a generous $2-million Jamaican dollar donation to support the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ initiative, designed to bring holiday joy to children facing adverse circumstances or trauma.
The funding, comprising contributions from Juici Patties staff and Continental Baking Company, was formally presented during a ceremony on December 15 at the Verandah within Juici Empowerment Park in Clarendon. This community-building program creates unique opportunities for children to select toys and gifts while accompanied by police officers, effectively fostering positive interactions and strengthening trust between law enforcement and citizens.
Custos of Clarendon and Juici Patties director Edith Chin emphasized the program’s significance, describing it as “a simple but meaningful programme that brings children and police officers together in a positive way during the holiday season.” The substantial donation will dramatically increase the initiative’s capacity, expanding from serving 50 children in the previous year to 200 beneficiaries this holiday season.
Continental Baking Company director Craig Hendrickson, whose organization contributed $1 million, expressed pride in supporting the initiative, noting it was “awesome to be a part of something that really helps kids, especially at this time right after Melissa. It is for those who are in need, it is something that is really special, and they will really appreciate it.”
Superintendent Anton-Gur Cardoza, Head of Operations for Clarendon Police, shared poignant insights from previous implementations, revealing that some children prioritized practical needs over toys. “Some of these children opted to go to the supermarket, some opted to get some things that we thought were very basic, but that was something that they really wanted for their Christmas to enjoy,” he recounted. The superintendent particularly recalled one child who requested only a pair of school shoes, which police happily provided along with additional gifts from stakeholders.
Juici Patties staff members expressed strong support for the program, with Executive Assistant Shelly-Ann Ford stating: “It is my responsibility to give back and support my company in this initiative because it is something that I am passionate about.” Management consultant Daniel Lowe praised the initiative as “a chance to spread a little love and light at this time of year,” while Marketing Manager Kellon Williams noted the importance of providing children with “a little treat outside of the essentials.”
Originally pioneered by the St Catherine South Police Division, the Shop With a Cop program has been adopted by multiple police divisions across Jamaica, evolving into one of the JCF’s most cherished Christmas traditions that continues to strengthen community bonds.