Santa cops spread holiday cheer

Usually you see police officers at checkpoints, not checking out.

With a few dressed up as Santa, Wilmington police officers shopped till they dropped to help give more than 50 lucky kids a merry Christmas.

Three year old Hannah Hildebrand said, “I got a Barbie and a puppy.”

Will Hatcher, a WPD officer stated, “I think the kids really enjoyed it, and it seems Hannah Montana is the thing to buy this year.”

Joshua Hildebrand, a junior officer of the day said, “I liked it because I got to meet lots of police officers and got a couple things that I like.”

Fellow junior officer Qu’ron Kea said, “It was exciting, because I was really excited to come and shop with the cop.”

Hatcher explained, “Kids get a mixed feeling when it comes to us, so we just want them to know that we are nice people and average people.”

With their carts and hearts full of joy, the police officers made Christmas just a little merrier this year for their pint-sized partners.

Local businesses, Wilmington police and recreation, and individual donors gave the money used to buy the kids gifts. Some of the kids managed to spend more than their gift cards, but reportedly, some of the officers kicked in their own cash to make up the difference.