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Houston Police Department’s Blue Santa marks 40 years; program awards $150 shopping sprees to essay winners
Summary
HTV’s City Pulse profiled HPD’s Blue Santa program. EJ Reyes, lead coordinator and a 30-year HPD veteran, said the program is in its 40th year, sponsored two schools for an essay contest and awarded $150 shopping sprees to selected students to build trust between youth and officers.
Travis Lemons introduced a City Pulse feature on the Houston Police Department’s Blue Santa program. EJ Reyes, who identified himself as a 30-year veteran of HPD and the program’s lead coordinator, said Blue Santa is celebrating its 40th anniversary and has grown substantially since its start.
Reyes described a recent component in which two schools participated with a total of 12 students per sponsored school (as presented in the segment); essay winners received a $150 shopping spree at a local retailer. Reyes said the program is intended to build trust and respect between officers and youth by showing another side of HPD and engaging through shared community activities.
Host Travis Lemons credited HTV production specialist Jordan Venison for shooting the Blue Santa piece. Venison described joining HTV as a production specialist after college and AV work, said he started with HTV the previous Monday and is currently onboarding, and discussed enjoying the downtown work environment.
The segment presented Blue Santa as a longstanding HPD outreach program that combines volunteer officer involvement and targeted activities for children during the holidays. The program encouraged viewers to support relief efforts and community programs that help residents in need.
