By Paige Nash

Shoppers of the Minden Walmart Supercenter may have noticed a larger presence of law enforcement on the premises last Thursday, Dec. 14. Fortunately, in this case all was well. As a matter of fact, it was quite merry.

A few Arcadia Police Department officers along with Chief Cierra Murphy showed up with over a dozen students from Bienville Parish for a “Shop with a Cop” event.

Murphy coordinated with Crawford Elementary School Principal Edwin Mason and the Walmart corporation to ensure these children were able to celebrate Christmas by filling up a shopping cart with all of the toys, gadgets, fidgets, games and whatever else their hearts desired.

According to Murphy, Principal Mason was able to provide the names of the individuals who would benefit most from the event.

Mason said, “My experience and relationships within the community helped me to determine the students. The students seemed to enjoy it greatly and appreciated the love shown to them.”