Page 36 - December 2017

Members of the 19th District Community Policing Steering Committee. CHRISTMAS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34
It’s A Wonderful Life
One of the best days of the year for officers in 019 comes in June. The steering committee hosts a police officer appre- ciation day. OK, given the expressions on the kids’ faces, and the officers’ – and Santa’s – maybe that’s the second-best day.
But community policing and its impact is not a one-day en- deavor for the 19th District. It’s an every-day act. In the wake of the Christmas party was another Christmas party for se- niors. The community policing team participates in the many festivals that take place in neighborhood. So many that Simz reminds, “We couldn’t do any of this without the officers on the street.”
As a result, the community policing actions run deeper than most people know.
“We have a youth council. We have a domestic violence of- ficer. This district is very busy,” Rios emphasizes. “There are a lot of businesses we get support form. And the Cubs are a lot of help.”
Dedes-Nowak apparently felt the power of the 19th District when she jumped on board with the steering committee as its vice president. And there’s a powerful reason to answer when the district puts out a call to their bullpen.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the Cubs to partner with the police,” she notes. “Part of our philosophy is to be a good neighbor and so this is a really great way to be involved with the neighborhood.”
Roben shares that one of the many reasons he wants to stay in 019 is the infectious desire to make people have a better day and make them smile. “One of the things I have seen so far is just how much people want to help the community. That’s the thing I appreciate most about being a cop right now,” he adds.
Community policing is not just a strategy, a directive or an order in 019. It’s a way of keeping the neighborhood safe, which is exactly what Congressman Mike Quigley, whose 5th district includes 019, observed amidst the gift-giving, bal- loon-making and celebrating.
“To me, what’s special about what the district does and what the police here do is that they do this all the time,” Con- gressman Quigley elaborates. “It’s an ongoing effort by the officers to stay in touch with the community and help them with their needs and just provide a lot of joy. It’s very helpful for relations in the neighborhood for little guys to know that police officers are their friends and care about them from the
36 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2017
Matt Roben, a new o cer in 019 who used to be a circus performer, made balloon animals for kids who came to the party.
earliest age. It’s extensive. It’s ongoing. It probably deserves a little more credit than it gets. I’m going to do whatever I can to help it keep going.”
Undercover Santa
Getting this party started was a matter of Santa walking in the room. (Apparently, he knew that you don’t slide down the chimney at a police district.) His arrival was a little delayed. (Apparently, the trip from the North Pole wasn’t too bad until he hit the traffic on Clark Street.)
When he did arrive, he displayed that immense sense of duty that you tend to find in Chicago Police Officers.
“We all want to do well for the public. We all want to make sure the children are safe,” Santa declared. “That’s why I have been coming to the 19th District for 10 years.”
So, then, who is that bearded man?
Well, as the party unfolded, some clues to his true identity were revealed. Yes, he is a Chicago Police Officer, a prominent one who has more than a few traits in common with Santa, in- cluding having to deal with a “who’s been naughty and who’s been nice list” on a daily basis.
“They both care about kids in the community,” Dedes- Nowak observes.
From Congressman Quigley’s perspective, “They care about us and protect us.”
Officer Rios wasn’t sure Santa would make it back this year given the lofty position he has ascended to. “I called him, and I asked, ‘Are you still going to be Santa?’ And he said, ‘abso- lutely,’” Rios reports.
Simz says she has known Undercover Santa for a lot of years, so it’s a safe bet he used to work in 019. She adds that she has always seen the qualities and characteristics in him that would make any police officer of this caliber a phenom- enal Santa. “He makes people happy and helps people,” she adds.
Alderman Cappleman wanted to peel back the beard and ID this Secret Santa, more as a tribute than to blow his cover. “I’ve known Santa for a very long time. I call him Santa Gra- ham,” the alderman spilled. “He’s a great guy. With a heart of gold.” d