VALDOSTA — Riding a police cruiser, with lights and sirens blazing, Santa came bearing gifts for the boys and girls in Hudson Dockett Christmas Eve.

The Valdosta Police Department spread Christmas cheer early Monday morning for its Fifth Annual Police Santa event at Hudson Dockett, Brittany Woods and Park Chase. 

The VPD passed out hundreds of presents to families in low-income communities across the city.

Darrell Lester, VPD patrolman and housing authority officer, said the event is a way for police to show a more friendly and approachable side.

“Too often, we come into the neighborhood for something bad,” Lester said. “This is a day where we can show them a different side to the police. It allows us to give back.”

At Hudson Dockett, families slowly trickled out of the residences as police sirens whooped and officers yelled “Ho, ho, ho!”

Glenda Brown, a caregiver in the area, passed out toys to the kids and reveled in the excitement. It was her first year experiencing the Police Santa event and she thought it was great, she said.

“I’m just overjoyed by everything going on,” Brown said. “It really improves this community. The children are so happy to be getting a present and many of them might not have got something this year.”

Tyesha Turner and her family were out collecting presents. 

Turner said it was her third year participating in the event and said she thought the event was great.

“It really makes the kids happy,” Turner said. “The kids love the police. They come out every year to see the lights flash and hear the sirens and everything. I think it’s great.”

Councilwoman Vivian Miller-Cody said the event gives children faith in police.

She said kids in Hudson Dockett and other housing authorities usually only see police when something bad is happening.

“Today, the police are bringing presents and telling the kids that they don’t have to be afraid,” Miller-Cody said. “We can’t thank the city and the police department enough for making these kids smile and for what they do this time of year.”

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256