CRESTLINE — Local police departments are hosting events and some are participating in a toy waiver program to collect toys and clothing for Christmas to be given to children in need throughout the county.
The Crestline Police Department announced last week that it is conducting a toy waiver program.
“I am proud to announce that we have taken a page from the playbook of our neighbors to the east (Ontario Police Department) and our neighbors to the west (Bucyrus Police Department) and are engaged in a Holiday Toy Waiver Program,” Crestline Police Chief Jeff Shook said.
He said the program is designed to support local children and families who otherwise could not experience the happiness that the holiday season brings.
“In an effort to ensure that no child goes without a Christmas gift, Crestline Police officers will be equipped with ‘Toy Waivers’ to issue at their discretion to motorists observed making minor traffic infractions,” Shook said. “Typically, these stops are dealt with by a verbal warning and it is our hope that you will partner with us to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter. While we would prefer that no one violate any traffic laws, we know that mistakes happen, and it is my wish that we can turn this negative into a positive for our community.”
The program will be in effect from present until Dec. 15.
“As always, serious infractions of the law will be strictly enforced and there is no promise or guarantee that if you violate even a minor traffic law, you will not receive a citation,” Shook said.
The same program has been implemented by the Bucyrus Police Department.
“We will be doing our Toy Waiver program the same as Crestline and Ontario police departments but our program is conjunction with our Operation Hope Toy Drive,” Bucyrus Police Chief Dave Koepke said.
While the Galion Police Department is not implementing a Holiday Toy Waiver Program this holiday season, the department’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 71 will be hosting its annual toy drive Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. at Drug Mart in Galion.
“We will be filling a cruiser and accepting donations to go toward Shop with a Cop and adopting families for Christmas,” said Tim Johnson of the FOP.
All three departments, along with the fire departments in each city, also are collecting toys that may be dropped off at the fire and police departments by residents. They are requesting new, unopened toys be donated along with scissors, tape and wrapping paper.
Crestline residents also may donate through donation boxes that have been placed at Menard’s in Ontario, Willig’s Tire Repair, Dollar General in Crestline and the Crestline Village Offices.