“Most police officers are good cops and good people.” – Rand Paul
The news about cops over the past few years has hardly been positive. Incidents related to violence against citizens have been on the rise. The unfortunate part is that isolated incidents lead to an overall poor perception of cops. Yet, amidst this scenario emerges a story that is as ‘feel good’ as you can imagine. Two cops in Guelph, Ontario responded to a distress call. The caller simply stated that a woman in the plaza has no shoes on and is walking barefoot with a shopping cart. Concerned about the woman’s health in the cold weather, she alerted the cops.
The constables on duty, J. P. Hobbs and Kristen Southgate, recognized the lady. According to Southgate, the woman is likely a homeless drug user and also suffering from mental health issues. The two cops deliberated just buying a cup of coffee for her and giving her some money for food until they noticed that the women’s feet turned purple due to the cold, with extreme swelling. They decided they wanted to do more for her. Initially, they made her put on the shoes she had in her cart. However, due to the swelling, they did not fit.
Instead they bought warm socks and shoes for the lady intending to be on their way after they completed the purchase, except a reporter happened to capture the moment. The story is viral now and inspiring people from around the world. You can learn more about the incident here.
At Sheltering Grace, we believe that even small acts of kindness deserve recognition. More stories like these can help restore the reputation of the police over the years. Showing appreciation for the two constables who went above and beyond the call of duty is the least we can do.
Sheltering Grace Ministry, Ltd. is a 501(c)3 Ltd. non-profit ministry. We resolve the initial crisis of homelessness by providing mothers with a safe place to live during pregnancy. We also equip them with the tools they need to improve decision-making, enhance employment options, and increase family income to act responsibly as the head of their household. All of our services develop their self-reliance to progress to permanent independent living. Please join us in renewing and rebuilding the lives of these brave women – #Be1of5000.
