The call to action for members of the Storm Lake Police Department (SLPD) is not limited to enforcing the law. They are also there to assist residents of their community in many other ways, and this holiday season marks a new way to do just that. Last week, an officer was conducting a routine patrol on a very cold and windy day. He pulled up to a bus stop to chat with children congregated there as they waited for the bus. The officer’s attention was drawn to a boy standing with his mother, who proudly displayed a gap in his grin and told the officer he had lost a tooth. But the tooth fairy didn’t come, the young boy said. After the bus pulled away, the officer turned to the boy’s mother, who told him she had lost her job, had experienced COVID complications and had been scammed out of a good deal of cash. The family was short on food and would probably not be able to celebrate the holiday season. That officer gave the woman $100 and drove her to the local grocery store, dropping her off to buy food with instructions to call him when she was done. When the officer shared this story with staff at the precinct, the office manager and her assistant ran out to purchase and wrap a stack of Christmas presents for the child and his mother. They then arranged a special delivery. As a part of the “Santa Cops” program, Santa made that first delivery in the SLPD YumVee, garnering a lot of smiles, screams of excitement and a hug from the little boy. The effort continues as the SLPD delivered more gifts to families and handed out 36 hams to those in need. The department looks forward to making this an annual event and thanks all the many private donors and the Storm Lake Police Association for their help in making it a reality. Those wishing to donate to Santa Cops can do so by contacting Lt. John Bauer at 712-732-8010.
