by Alex Lloyd Gross
The idea of police partnering with a merchant to meet community members is a good idea. It got started about 10 years ago and is held across the country. Saturday, officers from Bensalem held one at the Target store, which is across the street from the Neshaminy Mall.
The event started at about 10:00 AM and ran for a few hours into the afternoon. Officers would either engage the community, or wait until they were approached. Stickers and crayons were available for children, while coffee and light snacks were on the house, courtesy of Target.
Of course, not everyone is going to engage. By 11:00 AM, according to Lt. James McGinty about a dozen or so people approached the officers to chat. Many more were from out of the area with small children, who were happy to get a pack of crayons or a sticker.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com Lt. James McGinty give a new friend some stickers.
Employees from Target were also on hand to discuss shoplifting deterrents or other matters within the store. The event was held at the front of the store,near the Starbucks.