Page 33 - December 2017

The 19th District has created a memorable holiday party for local kids in need every year that features a special visit from a Secret Santa
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL n PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
Eyes as big and bright as supersized ice cream scoops pin- pointed the dude in the red suit. Even before he received the gift – the only present he might get for Christmas this year – the little boy saw this jolly old fellow as a hero. The boy knew the suit said Santa. But his presence appeared more iconic, given that this encounter occurred in the CAPS room at 019.
The look in the boy’s eyes seemed to ask, “Who is that bearded man?”
Actually, the man had a true identity that ran deeper than red. There was blue underneath, to be sure, and it was light- ing up the kids in the room. “I rank him above Santa Claus,” exclaimed Alderman James Cappleman, whose 46th ward in- cludes the 19th District.
The kids looked at Secret Santa like an old friend, and that’s because he is. He has been making this pre-Christmas test run in 019 for the past 10 years, and he has been keeping that identity, well, secret. So this is not the time to blow his cover. Undercover Kringle met nearly 300 kids at the 19th District Christmas Party on Dec. 2, and more than half of the children came from homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters that exist in the Wrigleyville shadows.
The greatest gift on this Saturday afternoon might have been the chance for the children to see police officers in a different light than they are used to. With Santa’s help – and Santa’s helpers – the kids eagerly created connections with coppers that could change their lives.
“It’s a great way for us to reach out to the children in the community and give them something special for the holi- days,” explains Sergeant Mary Hein, who supervises the com-
munity policing unit in 019. “They love being with the officers and getting to know them. And just the joy of them getting a present...It definitely raises our spirits seeing the children happy.”
The 019 Community Policing Unit has been calling on business owners, elected officials and the good neighbors up the block from District headquarters to help host this event for the past 20 years. Volunteers from the Cubs even wrapped all the presents.
Like in so many districts across the Department, the com- munity policing program in 019 continues to grow with life-altering endeavors across all age groups. From its senior Thanksgiving lunch to its youth chess programs, the unit seems to work double time to serve the community.
“This is probably the best thing we do,” submits 019 Officer Jose Rios, who has been with the CAPS unit for 19 years and has been leading the Christmas party for the past 13 years. “It’s all about seeing the excitement of a kid getting a gift that someone else might not think is a great gift but to them it’s the one gift they get this year, so they are ecstatic about it, no matter what it is. And when they get to meet Santa, it’s so much fun to watch their faces.”
Cops in Toyland
Matt Roben, a PPO in 019, did his tour for this day at the Christmas party. He wasn’t hired for this event, but he could have been. He underscores the effort, initiative and impor- tance of this event to the community, to the officers and to Santa.
Prior to entering the Academy, Roben worked for 20 years as a performer with the Midnight Circus, the group that puts
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