Shop With Sheriff: Deputies Let Kids Pick Out Christmas Gifts

NORTH VERSAILLES (KDKA) -- Santa Claus on a Harley makes a personal visit at Walmart in North Versailles Monday afternoon. He and the Allegheny County Sheriff's Dept. have drawn a crowd.

Jason Tarap and fellow deputies are ambassadors in blue, on the brink of a shopping spree. The best part is when the kids go inside the store, and start selecting their own favorite gifts - with the help of deputies. The Shop with a Sheriff program lets low income children pick out their own gifts. No charge.

"I can actually imagine the kids at the houses of the families that we've helped, be able to unwrap those presents, and know that we did this," Deputy Tarap says.

Walmart executive Anthony Dattilio concurs.

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"Just seeing the smiles on their faces, being able to see them pick out their favorite toys, things that couldn't be provided by their parents, its very humbling. It's very inspirational."

The interaction gives youngsters a different view of law enforcement.

"Children I deal with, they don't really seem to see that part of the officers," says community advocate Brenda Stewart. "The children have a good outlook on the police."