Weber County kids shop with cops

RIVERDALE — Thirteen-year-old Andrea Bibo didn't know exactly what she wanted when she was handed a $100 Walmart gift card Saturday morning. The gift was a present from the community, but she knew she wasn't going to spend the money on herself.

So she got a kitchen set and markers for her two younger sisters, an umbrella and a Lego set for her younger brothers, bath stuff for her mom and hair clips for her aunts. The only things she got for herself were a couple of long-sleeve shirts.

Andrea was one of 50 kids from Weber County chosen by the local chapter of the Salvation Army to go on a shopping spree with a police officer Saturday morning. The program was sponsored by Bonneville High School, the Weber County Sheriff's Office, Walmart and local businesses. She started off by meeting with Roy police officer Bryce Weir at a Village Inn for breakfast at 5 a.m. From there, she and Weir joined a caravan of about 50 police cars, each with a child inside.

The police officers blared their sirens the four miles to Riverdale's Walmart, where they took a few turns around the parking lot and let the kids yell over the loud-speaker systems things like "pull over" and "move out of the way." Then, the cars formed a circle in the parking lot, and the children watched as a helicopter carrying Santa Claus landed in the middle of the circle.

Jasmine Means, 10, said this was one of her favorite parts of the morning. She also said that she liked riding in a police car, although at first she said she was a little bit scared to get in.

"He's nicer than I thought he would be," Jasmine said. "He's silly and he's funny and he's fun. Next time I see a cop, I'll say 'hello.' "

Other children also said they were uneasy about being with a police officer, but by the end of the morning, most were laughing and playing. One little girl even bought a thank-you card for her officer and tried to hide it from him while they were shopping.

Weber County officer Jon Tesch said the experience helps children see a different side of cops.

"It helps them realize cops aren't scary, bad guys," Tesch said.

Detective Jeff Lemberes with the Weber County Sheriff's office helped start the event five years ago.

He said the children this year were a little more needy than usual because the Salvation Army picked them instead of the Division of Family Services.

"I don't know if these kids would've had Christmas if not for this," Lemberes said.

About 30 Bonneville High School student body officers also helped out. BHS raised about $7,000 last year for the event and continues to participate because the students love it, said Bob Scovel, adviser for the student government.

Student body officer Jaymee Shaw, 17, said it makes her realize how blessed and fortunate she is while Ryan Banner, 17, said it helps him get into the real spirit of Christmas.

Banner said it was overwhelming to see so many children who didn't have much buying items just for their siblings and parents.

At the end of the event, Andrea met up with her siblings, many of whom got to go shopping as well and also bought gifts mainly for their family. She said it's hard sometimes especially since her dad is in the hospital right now, but it's nice to know the community is there for her.

"Sometimes in a bad situation, things can turn out good," she said.

e-mail: slenz@desnews.com