When a local family was displaced for Christmas the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office knew exactly who they needed to call in order to put something together to ensure that the kids had something special for Christmas – Lathrop Police Services.
Earlier this week the kids that were more than likely going to have to do without ended up with new bicycles that were on hand at Lathrop Police Services as part of a stockpile of presents left over after the annual holiday giveaways.
Even though the family that needed assistance didn’t live in Lathrop, the ongoing partnership between the City of Lathrop and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office – which now exceeds three decades – meant that those who needed the help could receive it regardless of where they happened to live.
“I think it’s a testament to the 31-plus year relationship that the city has had with the Sherriff’s Office,” Biedermann said. “They have basically been their police department since 1989, and we’ve fostered that relationship – it gets better every year, from the support of people like Susan Dell’Osso and River Islands to Target.
“Having that relationship allows us to help as many people as we possibly can, and Lathrop as a city is more than willing to do that even when it means taking on responsibilities outside of their city limits.”
According to Biedermann, that relationship and its impact on the wider region was on display earlier this month when children from throughout San Joaquin County came to the Lathrop Target store for a special Christmas event where deputies purchased gifts that wouldn’t otherwise be under the tree this year.
Because Lathrop has the only Target store inside of patrol boundaries of the Sherriff’s Office it has become the de facto location for the annual event – which grew this year with support from the Lathrop Manteca Fire District – and serves, he said, as a testament to the city’s willingness to help those in need.
“Lathrop has so many resources that the county doesn’t, and whether that’s citizens or business owners or the city itself Lathrop is always willing to help out wherever possible,” Biedermann said. “At the end of the day it’s about making sure that everybody has a great holiday.
“It’s like we’re all one big team, and that’s a great thing to be able to see.”
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
