On Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, the Seal Beach Police Department visited Seal Beach residents and a local youth shelter to participate in the third annual “Santa Cop” holiday season community outreach event.
In partnership with Target, the Seal Beach Police Department, and West Cities Police Communications, Target employees, officers, and dispatch personnel visited several individuals who needed a little extra holiday cheer this year.
The Seal Beach Police Department asked the community to anonymously nominate individuals and families who were struggling or had fallen on hard times.
Several community members wrote to nominate those in need.
More than $1,800 in donations were raised for Santa Cop which was spent on purchasing gifts and toys.
These funds were donated by: the Seal Beach Target store. the City of Seal Beach Denim Days campaign (a weekly event where city employee can wear jeans in exchange for a small donation), the Seal Beach Police Officers’ Association, the Seal Beach Police Management Association, and the West Cities Police Communications Employee Association.
After the gifts were purchased they were wrapped, transported, and presented to the nominees by Target employees, Seal Beach Police and West Cities Communications employees, and Santa Claus himself.
In addition to toys and other gifts, the nominees were donated a grocery store gift card.
A family of nine was selected to receive gifts as well and a long-time Seal Beach resident living alone.
In addition to these two nominees, gifts were donated to all eight children who were staying at Casa Youth Shelter, an emergency temporary shelter for homeless, runaway, and abandoned youth in nearby Los Alamitos.
“It was a wonderful experience being able to give back to the community and those in need,” said Canine Officer Victor Ruiz.
“With the help and generosity of all of the involved organizations, as well as the Seal Beach community’s nominees, Santa Cop was able to touch the lives of many this holiday season,” Ruiz said.
Santa Claus has asked the Seal Beach Police Department to continue this event next year.
To learn more about the SBPD, follow the Seal Beach Police Department on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @sealbeachpolice.
