BY B.G. GREGG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
'Twas 11 days before Christmas and all through the city, police officers dressed as Santa were delivering treats.
Five jolly old St. Nicks delivered candy to approximately 1,500 children at seven schools Monday as part of the Cincinnati Police Division's Children's Christmas Santa Program.
The program thrills the children and gives them positive contact with police officers.
Retired Officer Gene Simpkins donned a red outfit and beard and traveled to Washburn Elementary in the West End with District 1 Crime Prevention Officer Phil Penn.
He was mobbed when he arrived, as many of the 150 children in kindergarten through second grade strained to touch his suit or pull his beard.
The children had been herded into the school's auditorium, where they were surprised by Santa's arrival.
“They think it's just a Christmas program,” said Principal Kathy Chambers. “They don't know that Santa is going to be here.”
Mr. Simpkins said he has played Santa for more than 20 years. “It betters the relationship between the children and the police department and it gets Officer Penn in there and gives him a chance to talk on safety,” he said.
In between sing-alongs of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Jingle Bells,” Officer Penn talked about wearing helmets with new bikes and skates, and proper fire safety with Christmas trees.
“What makes police officers more sad than anything is when someone gets hurt,” he said. “Especially when little children get hurt.”
The children listened to the officer but they were clearly much more enamored with Santa.
“He's going to buy my mama a diamond and bring me a remote-control car and a fish,” said Marquis Smith, 7, who is in the first grade.
“Santa Claus is going to bring me a football and a bike and a ring,” said Darius Miller, 6, also in the first grade.
