SPD helps children shop for the holidays

On Saturday, members of the Sarasota Police Department helped more than 80 children participate in a holiday shopping spree as part of a Sarasota Housing Authority outreach initiative.

The SPD teamed up with the Sarasota Housing Authority for the second annual “Honor the Badge” event. With the help of more than 40 members of the SPD, children and their families shopped for gifts at the Fruitville Road Target Saturday morning. Local businesses, organizations and individuals raised more than $10,000 for the event, with about $2,600 coming from members of the SPD.

The event, spearheaded by the Sarasota Housing Authority, is designed to help build respect between officers and children living in SHA communities, according to a press release.

“Having a safe, strong, vibrant community begins with having mutual respect and trust between community members and the men and women sworn to protect them,” SHA Executive Director William Russell said.

Video from the event can be found on the Sarasota Police Department's YouTube page, and photos can be found on the SPD Facebook page.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].