The program, which began in 2002 with fewer than 70 students, has now grown so large that organizers are searching for additional storage space outside of the station to support future expansion.
The gist
Planning begins as early as September, when volunteers, including retired district employees, meet weekly to manage the growing database of participating children alongside department staff, said Police Service Specialist Eva Andrews, who organizes the program.
Elementary school counselors select students based on need, considering factors such as homelessness or financial hardship. The department then sends a districtwide call for sponsors, drawing hundreds of KISD staff members, church groups and campus organizations.
She said sponsors receive wish lists that include clothing sizes, hobbies and favorite items, and are asked to spend at least $100 per child. Popular requests this year include LEGOs, K-pop merchandise and anime items, she said.
“Whenever you see the looks on the parents’ faces... you can just tell how grateful they are,” she said. “Just to see it all come together, it’s very rewarding.”
The bigger picture
In a December interview with Community Impact, Chief David Rider said that programs like Santa Claus Cops, Trick or Treating, and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, allows the department to develop community relationships and strengthen trust of law enforcement.
“The vast majority of our time interacting with students and staff is education, it's not law enforcement,” he said. “We want to make sure that they know that we're the good guys. We are here to protect them, and we're here for them.”
Gift pickup begins this week, with parents arriving at scheduled times to collect numbered bags prepared by volunteers, Andrew said.
At its peak, Santa Claus Cops has served more than 1,200 students, and Rider said he hopes to reach that level again next year.
