Staff recommends that City Council accept donations from various donors totaling $39,746.48 to be used for the Shop with a Cop program, as well as other donations totaling $18,000.
 

Council policy requires that any donation greater than $500 must be approved by the City Council.  Various donors wish to donate $39,746.48 to the Billings Police Department Shop with a COP program.  Twenty-one of the donors contributed $500 or more.

Shop with a Cop establishes goodwill between area law enforcement agencies and families experiencing hardships by providing selected children referred by public and private organizations, the opportunity to shop with an Officer for Christmas gifts.  This year the Billings Police Department, through local donations, is able to provide 50 kids with $300 to shop for gifts for themselves and their families.  An additional $50 gift card will also be provided to each family for other holiday needs.  
 
Additionally, two donations were made to support the upkeep of police K-9's to include an anonymous donation in the amount of $3,000; and a $5,000 donation from Scheels. 

Another anonymous donation was made in the amount of $10,000 for police operations to be used as needed.   

 

City Council may:

• Approve the various donations to the Billings Police Department totaling $57,746.48;
• Disapprove the various donations to the Billings Police Department totaling $57,746.48 and provide further direction to staff. 

There is no impact to the General Fund.