Saturday, December 4, 2021

The Mesquite Police Santa Cop Toy Program is an annual event that began over 40 years ago. In 1975, Mesquite Police Officer Reese Bullard was assigned to a low income apartment complex and knew of several families that were unable to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Moved with compassion, he began a way for law enforcement to assist those families in need and vulnerable in their own community. This officer made arrangements for these families to receive Christmas gifts and each year the need grew. In 1982, the program went city wide. It has continued to grow each year. Last year the Santa Cop Program provided gifts for over 1,000 children from over 380 different families.