Behind the Badge
Having only recently moved to Tustin with her three children, Gena Zarza had never seen the kind of Christmas spirit bestowed by the Tustin Police Department that she experienced during the Santa Cop festivities.
Zarza, along with her 2- and 3-year-old daughters and 10-year-old son, were among 80 specially selected families treated to an evening of holiday-themed activities, highlighted by face time with Santa himself during the 30th annual event, designed to brighten the holidays for under-served families.
Sisters Maria Briseno, 8, and Emely Briseno, 10, right, hold their holiday dinners and grab utensils during the Santa Cop gathering.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The kids received gifts and dinner, played games, and had their faces painted Dec. 11 at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center in Tustin.
Some were even lucky enough to win one of several bicycles given away in an opportunity drawing.
“My son was stoked about it,” Zarza said. “He was just so excited. They had no idea… We got here and they were excited.”
Santa arrives as kids cheer during the Tustin Police Department’s Santa Cop community gathering.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Donations from City of Tustin employees, Tustin Police Department employees, the Tustin Lions Club, the Tustin Community Foundation, and Smart & Final make Santa Cop possible every year, said Community Services Officer Adriana Tokar, who has been organizing Santa Cop for more than 25 years.
“It’s the only way something like this can work,” Tokar said. “We were able to accommodate all the families. That’s because people are so generous with their time. We start working on this in July and we are full speed ahead in October. It’s well worth it. Look at their faces.”
Tustin Police Volunteer Rick Yurosko, right, exchanges toy prizes for tickets kids earned from various carnival-like games during the Santa Cop community dinner. Behind Rick helping out is Tustin Police Department Volunteer Rich Ruedas.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The invited families are referred by schools, area churches, the Tustin Family and Youth Center, and by the officers themselves.
Santa Cop has grown exponentially since the event started 30 years ago with 13 families being served punch and cookies.
Santa Claus, a.k.a. Nasario Solis, has been on hand for all of them, donning the same red suit he wore 30 years ago.
Santa greets kids at their tables after arriving for the Tustin Police Department’s Santa Cop community gathering at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“This is a great event,” said Solis, who became an investigator with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office after spending years with the Tustin Police Department.
Solis is essentially retired but works as master reserve officer.
“In fact, when I went to the DA’s Office, (Tustin Police Department) asked me to come back and I said absolutely,” Solis said.
The Maldonado family, ages 2-10, of Tustin, pose for photos with Santa during the Tustin Police Department’s Santa Cop community event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Tustin Police Department hosts a variety of events for the community throughout the year.
For 15 nights every December, Santa and his elves bring good tidings to virtually every block in the 11-square-mile city as part of the Santa Sleigh festivities.
Cupcakes from the North Pole for families at the Tustin Police Department’s Santa Cop community dinner.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin PD also hosts an Open House for the community every year.
“I’ve been here 29 years,” said Lt. Andrew Birozy, the department’s public information officer. “I started as a dispatcher and I remember we were very big into community involvement back then. I think every chief, every council member, and every employee realizes community engagement is part of our culture. We have a very good relationship with our community and we want to keep it going.”
Miss Tustin 2019 Runner-Up Anyssa Nunez presents a new bicycle won in a raffle to 6-year-old Angel Alonso of Tustin during Tustin Police Department’s Santa Cop event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Explorer Francisco Saldivar helps carry presents given to the Hernandez family during the department’s Santa Cop community event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Tustin Police Department Records Manager Thao Nguyen, second from right, with the help of Miss Tustin 2019 Keenan Pasztor, far right, hands out bags of presents to Tustin Police Explorers to be given to special families during the department’s Santa Cop dinner.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
On hand to help out for the Santa Cop community dinner are, from left, Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg, Lt. Duane Havourd, Miss Tustin 2019 Runner-Up Anyssa Nunez, Miss Tustin 2019 Keenan Pasztor, and Capt. Robert Wright.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
