Westchester Police Bring 'Blue Santa' To Communities, Hospitals

CORTLANDT, NY — Westchester County police are continuing a tradition Monday with modifications for 2021 that address pandemic protocols to keep everyone safe — spreading holiday cheer by escorting Blue Santa and his elves to locations in Cortlandt, Mount Kisco and the Westchester Medical Center grounds.

"This is a day that many of our officers look forward to each year because it is another opportunity to give back to the communities and people we serve," Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said. "Covid-19 precautions will limit the interaction we can have with people this year, but with social distancing and other precautions in place we can still help brighten the holiday season in Westchester."

Blue Santa (with help from the elves and the officers) distributes gifts at community organizations, hospitals and elsewhere throughout the day in the two communities where WCPD provides municipal police services. Then, after dark, he and his elves will be joined by a lot of other helpers at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center for Operation Good Night Lights.

On Monday night, the Westchester County Police Department will lead a convoy of police, fire and EMS vehicles — with lights flashing and sirens sounding — in an effort to bring smiles and holiday cheer to patients in the hospital at this time of year.

Blue Santa and his helpers — police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs from agencies all across Westchester — will get out of their vehicles to wave to the patients at Maria Fareri and the main hospital.

The patients at the children’s hospital will be provided with blue glow sticks to wave back at the first responders.

Gleason pointed out that none of it would be possible without all the volunteers and sponsors.

"I am grateful to our officers who are volunteering their time and to the sponsors who have helped provide the gifts, including the Westchester County Police PBA, Majestic Wolves Motorcycle Club and Empire Harley Davidson in New Rochelle," he said.