S.D. Police Force's Inaugural 'Letters to Santa' Program Brings Holiday Cheer

GREGORY, S.D. — As Christmas approaches, the Gregory Police Department is adding a special task to their usual duties: helping deliver letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole.

This year marks the inaugural "Letters to Santa" initiative, an effort aimed at spreading holiday cheer and creating a sense of community.

Chief Ryan Cook, who joined and took charge of the department less than a year ago after two decades on the force in Rapid City, spearheaded the "Letters to Santa" program. Cook says the program is an opportunity to connect with the community in a positive and festive way.

"Being out, being seen, being involved are all part of policing in a town. We want people to feel comfortable reaching out to the police and see us as a part of the community," Cook said.

The initiative invites children of all ages to drop off their Christmas wish lists in a special mailbox located outside the town's post office. No postage is required, but including a return address is crucial for Santa's response.

"It's geared towards the littles, but honestly everybody that's a part of the town and beyond can drop off a letter," Chief Cook said.

He emphasized that every letter writer will receive a personalized response, adding a touch of magic to the holiday season.

The program isn't just for Gregory's families — residents from surrounding towns like Bonesteel, Fairfax, and Burke have also participated, some driving up to 25 miles to drop off their letters.

Officer Jeremy Atkins, one of the department's three officers, has been amazed by the volume of letters the department has received. On one occasion, he discovered 19 letters waiting for them when he checked the mailbox. As the number of holiday wishes continues to grow, the mailbox is now checked twice a day to keep up with the demand.

While the holiday season is typically a busy time for law enforcement, Cook and his officers are fully embracing the festive spirit.

"While we're still keeping an eye out for the area's most wanted, this holiday season, our list includes toys and bikes, too," Cook said. "It's just part of the fun."

Beyond spreading holiday cheer, the initiative also helps children build positive relationships with local law enforcement

"This is about more than just getting letters to Santa," Cook said. "It's about letting kids see that we're approachable, that we care, and that we're here to support them."

In a town like Gregory, which has a population of just over 1,000, building relationships with the community is central to effective policing. Cook, who grew up in a small town, understands the importance of making those connections.

"The work we do here is so much more than just enforcing the law. It's about being involved and showing that we're part of the community," he said.

The department's partnership with the local post office has been essential in getting the letters delivered to Santa.

"The postal workers are a huge part of this, too," Cook said. "We couldn't do it without them, and I really want to acknowledge the extra work they're doing to get all these letters out."

Despite the additional workload during the busy holiday season, the officers have embraced their new role with enthusiasm.

"They were super excited to be a part of the letter writing. It's something different, something fun, and everyone's really enjoyed it," Cook said of his small staff. "I can promise you every time one of us opens a letter from a kid, we smile."

The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Diane Bachmann, executive director of the local Chamber of Commerce, expressed her appreciation for the department's efforts.

"Our police department does an amazing job of interacting with the youth in our community," Bachmann said. "They are always looking for opportunities to be involved and connect with the kids in a positive way, and this is such a fun example of that."

As Christmas approaches, the Gregory Police Department continues to accept letters, with plans to do so right up until Christmas Day.

Though this is the first year running the "Letters to Santa" program, Cook is already looking forward to making it an annual tradition.

"The whole point of this is just to bring smiles and make memories," he said.

___

Visit The Daily Republic (Mitchell, S.D.) at www.mitchellrepublic.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.