Elves in blue spread Christmas cheer

When police cruisers, news reporters and cameras show up at your door, that’s usually not a good sign.

But for a select group of Monroe families Tuesday, it couldn’t have been a more welcomed sight.

The officers came bearing gifts of toys for children who, otherwise, might not have gotten anything Christmas. The toys were donated by the Monroe business, Eagles & Arrows Tattoos, which had held a toy drive for the Toys for Tots program of the Marine Corps Reserves and collected more toys than expected.

James “Nugget” Robertson, manager of the tattoo parlor at 25 American Way, turned to the Monroe Police Department and Detective Gregg Myers to help him figure out what to do with the more than 50 extra toys of all types, colors and sizes.

“We did Toys for Tots and another endeavor, but we wanted to do something a little more direct and get more personal with local families,” said Robertson.

Myers said the police department, in partnership with Monroe schools, was already sponsoring two needy families with gifts and food for the holidays, but he saw an opportunity with the toys. After gathering the toys from the tattoo parlor, officers went to Rochester Hills mobile home park off of Ohio 4 and worked with its manager to identify families that could use them.

“This is so neat,” said Marcie Mullins, property manager of the mobile home park for the past 16 years. “Isn’t this a blessing for these kids?”

Linda Evans, a resident of the mobile home park, was the first stop. When she spotted the police cruisers coming down the street, Evans instructed four of her grandchildren to go inside the house because she wasn’t sure what was happening. But when officers emerged with toy gifts ranging from small cars to a kitchen set, the children resurfaced to accept the presents.

One of the children, a 4-year-old named Kara, said she “loved it,” referring to her toy.

“They’re already playing with the toys and they’re not out of the boxes,” Evans said with a laugh.

As the officers handed out more toys at various other stops, they received thanks and hugs in return for their kindness and generosity.

“I think it’s pretty awesome that you are doing this,” said Chelsie Brickner, who was the final stop on the delivery route. “I’m a little surprised. This was pretty neat and this has never happened before.”

Her son Braiden, 4, said the small bicycle and helmet he received was “cool,” and that he was eager to ride it.

The officers involved said pulling presents out of their cruiser to spread good cheer instead of putting criminals in the back of it was a welcome diversion.

“Police have been getting a lot of bad press lately,” Myers said. “We wanted to do something positive that helps foster a relationship between police and the youth in our community. It also let’s them see us do something in a more positive light.”

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