Shelby Goff, 10, picks out a Cabbage Patch Kids doll as her sister, Jessica, 8, and Fort Pierce Police Officer Jesse Streeter look on during this year's Shop With a Cop event at the Fort Pierce Wal-Mar.

Tuesday was his third time out perusing toys with kids as part of the holiday shopping spree paid for by Wal-Mart. The event gives families some extra help with gifts for the kids of the household.

So, as a toy-shopping veteran, here’s what Streeter’s learned: Keep the mental calculator running.

After all, someone’s gotta make sure there’s enough on the gift card donated by the retail giant to pay for every toy plucked from the aisles.

The event, Chief Sean Baldwin said, is a way for the department to show kids another side of law enforcement.

“Unfortunately, all they see of a police officer is when they’re taking enforcement action,” Baldwin said. “This is an opportunity to see the officer in a positive manner. … For these kids, the officers today are Santa Claus.” (more…)