Area students shop with a cop

By Kate Hayden, khayden@charlescitypress.com

More than 35 kids from across Floyd County got their own personal shopping trip Tuesday, with some assistance from friendly law enforcement.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, the Charles City Police Department and the Nora Springs Police Department gave students from kindergarten to fourth grade $25 each to spend as they please at Kmart, with a personal escort to cheer them on.

Law enforcement raised funds for the event’s first year, Floyd County Sheriff Sergeant Travis Bartz said.

The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office is using special-event money from the Deputies’ Association. The Nora Springs Police Department raised funds from local businesses, and Charles City police are paying from their own pockets, Bartz added.

Kmart is offering a 10 percent discount on the officers’ total purchase during Shop with a Cop.

“This is our own money, not taxpayer’s, and hopefully this is the beginning of an annual tradition,” Bartz said.

Each officer joined one or two children during the two 30-minute shopping periods in Kmart, with students from Washington and Lincoln Elementary Schools, Immaculate Conception Elementary, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Elementary and Central Springs Elementary.

“I think it’s great to give back. We’re not just all about writing tickets,” Bartz said. “A lot of stuff law enforcement deals with means somebody is having a bad day, whether they are a victim of a crime, or if they’re pulled over with a flat tire and we had to help. It’s nice to help with the holidays.”