Santa Cops program to return to Manassas, Woodbridge

The event pairs children with police officers, who take them shopping to pick out Christmas gifts.

On December 7 at 7:15 a.m., Santa Cops will take place at the Walmart in Woodbridge, at 14000 Worth Avenue.

• Afterward, the children are taken by police cruiser to Outback Steakhouse, at 14580 Potomac Mills Road in Woodbridge for lunch donated by the restaurant.

On December 14 at 7:15 a.m., another group of children will join police officers at a Walmart at Manassas Mall, located at 8300 Sudley Road near Manassas.

• After shopping for gifts, children will be taken in multiple police cruisers for breakfast donated by Park West Lion’s Club.

Here’s more on how the children are selected to participate:

The children are selected by Prince William County, Manassas City and Manassas Park Schools. They come from all walks of life and differing circumstances, but all are faced with financial limitations in their homes.

Our mission is to promote a positive law enforcement image with these children. Children need to experience officers as caring people who are willing to provide positive support.

In supporting this project, we hope that we can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people. Improving the connections between responsible adults and young people is the core element of effective crime prevention and deterring negative, delinquent behaviors and encouraging achievement.

It helps leave a lasting impression of law enforcement with kids who sometimes don’t see police in a positive way

The Fraternal Order of Police Battlefield Lodge 43 organizes the event, which includes law enforcement officers from Prince William County Police, Prince William Adult Detention Center, Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, and George Mason University Police.