Date: Dec 15, 2014
Victoria BC – While VicPD members often spend their days catching the proverbial “Grinches who would steal Christmas,” this past week officers have been busy ushering in the holiday season in a most remarkable way.
Members of VicPD’s Focused Enforcement Team, Crime Reduction Unit and Strike Force sections took the spirit of the season to heart and, with the assistance of the Burnside Gorge Community Association, were able to sponsor a deserving family for Christmas.
The officers spent weeks collecting money in order to purchase gifts and supplies for the family and were thrilled when they learned they could get every item on this family’s wish list.
The good deeds don’t stop there, either. Over the past week, members of VicPD’s Professional Support Staff and CUPE members raised hundreds of dollars to gather gifts for Santa’s Anonymous. Those gifts were delivered last Wednesday.
Finally, a bit of holiday cheer was spread when a 4-year-old boy and his mother came to the station Wednesday night. Everyone at VicPD knows this young man, who drives around in a miniature VicPD police car and lives nearby. He wanted to give chocolates to the officers, and not to be outdone by the shiny miniature car, officers (with mom’s permission) took the young man for a ride in a real police car.
“I am so proud of the people who make up VicPD. It’s evident every day that they truly care about our communities and everyone who lives here,” said Chief Frank Elsner. “These officers and Professional Support staff exemplify ‘Honour Through Service”, and through their actions, they help make Victoria and Esquimalt great places to live.”
The giving does not stop there, as many sections within the department are still fundraising for local charities throughout the season.