Local Housing Cops Tackle Police-Community Relations, One Toy At A Time

Toy giveaways are a fun tradition held in communities across the country, putting smiles on kids’ faces and making the adults feel happy and grateful, too. But do you know what’s even better? When you’re stopped on the street completely unawares outside your apartment building and given gifts.

That is what happened for over 100 kids and adults at Ingersoll and Whitman Houses last night (Tuesday, December 22), when the NYPD’s Police Service Area 3 (PSA 3) drove around in a marked police van and stopped at three different buildings, at which point Santa jumped out and the gift blitz occurred.

“We were trying to come up with an idea for the kids and thought that instead of going to community centers and tenants associations, we’d drive up to pop-up to unexpected kids,” said PSA 3’s commanding officer, Captain Charles Minch, who noted that toys were obtained through Toys For Tots, after a request was sent in by PSA 3 Officer Eusebi. “The expression on their faces is surprise because it’s spur of the moment.”

Toys handed out by Santa — Police Officer Krikelis — and his officer helpers included stuffed animals, dolls, blocks, candy canes, trivia games, perfume, and even a science-themed building kit like the one 10-year-old Akillya got outside her Whitman Houses home, along with a stuffed animal.

Her little sister, Kameko, 5, got a doll that she couldn’t stop hugging. And the girls’ mom was still pleasantly surprised after all the gifts were given away. “It’s very nice. I don’t see that too often,” said Charmaine Ruiz. “[Gift-givers] don’t come to my neighborhood.”

“I think this is one of the best things that police could do,” said Isabella Lee, president of the Whitman Tenants Association. “This way, kids see police in a good way, willing to help kids with homework, being here for them, and not against them! They need to know that all police are not bad.”

Lee, along with Ingersoll Tenants Association presidents Anthony Sosa and Darold Burgess, had gotten the heads up a couple of days prior to the event to help ensure residents were around at specific drop-off points. Children present ranged in age from toddlers to teenagers, and included a group of kids with special needs, as well.