Police Santa Float to Spread Joy and Toys
Gardena police will dress up as Santa Claus and his elves this weekend to pass out toys and spread holiday cheer on a float that travels throughout the city.
The Gardena Police Officers Assn. has sponsored the annual Santa parade for more than a decade.
“People get the impression that all the police do is arrest people,” said Sgt. Bob Watts. “We want to let kids know that the Police Department gets involved in a whole lot more than that. We want to open the lines of communication.”
The Santa float will pass through Saturday and Sunday nights starting at 7:30. The parade starts with police sirens and an officer calling out over a megaphone, “Santa is coming.”
The parade attracts lots of children who come for a look at Old Saint Nick and his helpers. Santa gives them lots of toys such as Pogs and stuffed animals, all of which have been paid for by the Police Officers Assn. or donated by residents.
On Saturday the Santa Claus float will visit the 1200 block of 170th Street, 168th Street and Raymond Avenue, 163rd Street at Budlong, and Magnolia at Budlong. On Sunday the float will be at 170th and Halldale Avenue, 166th Street and Dalton Avenue, Recreation Park at 160th Street and Normandie, and concludes at Normandie and 162nd Street.
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