Ashley Irby representing WSPD while nearly 2500 toys for the children of West Sacramento are prepared.

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - West Sacramento Police are so short-handed that they are all working mandatory overtime just to keep officers on our streets, but now that the holidays are here, most of them are putting in even more time. “This is our favorite time of year,” said Taylor Nelson, Division Manager of Community Outreach and Support, “and we are already all hands on deck, but our people are really stepping up.”

Taylor explained that generally they have 300-400 registrations for toy drive gifts. Last year jumped to 561 registrations. This year it jumped to 800 registrations. The child must be school aged and a West Sacramento resident. However, for those that have circumstances that make it difficult to provide proof, the program will still work with you. Every registrant receives three wrapped gifts. The parents can either come pick them up, or have them delivered. Usually there are two teams that make the deliveries, but this year that number will be doubled.

So, where do those 2400 toys come from? The Police Department has been collecting toys since the beginning of November. Some are donated, like the ones from the Trail Riders, some were donated by West Sac Play, a motorcycle group did a toy run, and a number of financial donations come in to help support the program. With that money, Police Department staff and volunteers go shopping for the gifts. In addition, stores like Old Navy gave them a discount on coats and Walmart is always good to folks in Blue.

The Police Department has had the Volunteer in Policing group wrapping presents for hours on end, every day for the last couple of weeks. In addition, staff from City Hall have come over and wrapped. Also, if any PD employees have any down time, they come in and wrap. The Chief’s advisory committee came in and wrapped. And of course, if any officers have a chance, they go in and wrap as well.

The caravan teams is to deliver gifts Wednesday, December 21st and those parents that will be picking up the gifts will do that on Friday, December 22nd.