By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — It’s not unusual to see the Bay Minette Police force assisting area residents. But this holiday season, the department is lending Santa a hand with its Christmas Cop program.
According to Bay Minette Police Chief Mike Rowland, the community-outreach program provides yuletide presents to needy families that might not otherwise have the resources to provide gifts to their children this Christmas season.
“This is the third year for Christmas Cop,” he announced during Monday’s Bay Minette City Council meeting.
In an interview via email, Rowland said Christmas Cop was a brainchild of the city’s law-enforcement officers.
“The program was created by employees of the Bay Minette Police Department who became concerned that many families in our area were suffering from the decline in our national economy,” he said, “and that many children in the north Baldwin area were in danger of missing the Christmas spirit.”
Christmas Cop is made possible by private donations. Rowland explained that this year, the program is administered through the BMPD Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association.
“Families are chosen based upon need and are recommended by the Bay Minette PD officers and employees who come into contact with these families throughout the year,” he said. “Recommendations may also be made by residents, churches and corporate partners in the Bay Minette/north Baldwin area.”
Since its inception in 2008, Rowland has seen se recommendations increase.
“This year, it seems that there is a greater community-wide concern for the welfare of our needy families,” he said.
Although Rowland didn’t give an exact number of families assisted, he did point out that donations to fulfill that greater need have also gone up.
That increased contribution and the motivations behind it have proven to be a fulfillment for Rowland and his staff.
“Because we get to see first-hand the joy on the children’s faces and the appreciation of the families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the season,” the police chief said.
