Public Safety Shares Holiday Spirit with the Community

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A probation officer shops with a girl at the 2022 shop with a cop event.

The holidays are a time of giving to others, and County Probation, Sheriff’s and District Attorney are getting in the spirit with several programs that make a difference in the communities they serve.  

Shop with a Cop 

For many in law enforcement, it’s just not December until multi-agency patrol vehicles caravan from Sea World to Target with kids as part of Shop with a Cop. The event is hosted by STAR/PAL, a local non-profit organization that builds relationships between youth and law enforcement. This year’s Shop with a Cop event is Saturday, Dec. 2. More than 300 deputies, officers and agents will accompany 300 children on a $200 shopping spree at Target on Sports Arena Boulevard. The children are selected by school counselors and officer referrals.  

Sheriff’s deputies with a shop with a cop participant.

Probation Holiday Helpers 

STAR/PAL is also organizing a Santa’s Pals Holiday Giveaway on Tuesday, Dec. 19, where 115 children who have been referred for the event due to family hardship can enjoy hot cocoa, play in snow, visit Santa Claus, and receive a gift. San Diego County Probation officers are participating as helpers. 

DA Holiday Breakfast 

The District Attorney’s North County Family Justice Center is inviting back all the families they have served in 2023 for a Holiday Breakfast, celebration and gifts on Saturday, Dec. 9.  

Sheriff’s Department Gift Baskets 

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department volunteers bring holiday gift baskets to community members who are part of the You Are Not Alone (YANA) program. Typically, YANA participants have no close family or do not leave their homes.   

Toys for Tots 

Sheriff stations and substations will be collecting new unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign.  

The District Attorney’s CARE Center will be doing a toy giveaway in conjunction with Toys for Tots on Saturday, Dec. 15. 

Holiday Shopping Safety 

Deputies are also providing an extra layer of security by monitoring shopping center parking lots throughout the county from SkyWatch, a contraption that looks like a cherry picker but carries sophisticated equipment such as a heat-sensing camera with high-power, high-resolution lenses.  

The Sheriff’s Department also suggest: 

  • Shop during the day when possible and shop with a friend. 

  • Be aware of your surroundings. 

  • Don’t overload your arms with packages and bags while shopping. 

  • Park in a well‐lit area. 

  • Have your keys out and ready when approaching your car. 

  • Be aware of how you carry your purse or wallet. Don’t make it easy for someone to grab. 

  • When parking, lock your car doors and take valuables with you. 

  • If you absolutely must drop purchases off at your car and continue shopping, consider moving your car to another parking spot in case there are criminal spotters who might have seen you loading up your car with bags. This extra step could make a criminal think you are leaving. 

Home Vacation Checks 

For those who may be going out of town for the holidays, you can request free home vacation checks in advance to have Sheriff Volunteer Patrol members check on your home while you are away. This free service is available year-round. 

Holiday Bowl Parade 

The Sheriff’s Department rounds out the season with its leadership and mounted patrol participating in the Holiday Bowl Parade on Dec. 27.