Central Coast, SoCal Public Safety Agencies Bring Joy to Area Hospitals
Processions of patrol vehicles and fire trucks from local, state and federal public safety agencies in the Central Coast and Southern California rolled by local hospitals with lights and sirens activated to spread joy to health care workers and their patients during Operation Holiday Cheer on December 17 and 18.
Over the course of two days, hundreds of first responders from nearly 50 law enforcement agencies simultaneously visited about 40 hospitals in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and San Benito counties — covering an area of more than 400 miles, or nearly one-third of the state. During the parades, doctors, nurses and hospital staff congregated outside their facilities to cheer on and take part in photo ops with officers, who even brought Santa and other holiday characters along for the ride. Patients were also able to join in the fun by waving at the processions from the comfort of their rooms.
The agencies responsible for coordinating this year’s event were the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Bernadino and Riverside counties. PORAC members have a huge hand in making this event possible each year, as many of the organizing and participating agencies are affiliated with the Association. These members volunteer their time to ensure these all-day treks run smoothly and safely for all involved.
The annual effort, now in its fourth year, is one of the largest events of its kind. It was spearheaded by peace officers in 2021 to show appreciation and support to the frontline medical workers who, like their public safety counterparts, work tirelessly and selflessly each and every day to serve their communities.
“This event started during the height of the COVID pandemic, when hospitals were at their breaking points with patients, and staff was stretched thin,” shares Cuesta College Police Chief Rich Randolph, who helped create and plan the first event involving Southern California agencies while he was with the Colton Police Department and later expanded the event to the Central Coast after taking the helm of the Cuesta College Police Department in 2023. “It was also around the time of the ‘defund the police’ movement. This event was designed to reinforce law enforcement’s support to our fellow first responders and the communities we serve through PORAC’s Committee on Peace Officer Relations’ (COPOR) United for Positive Reform program.”
He remarks that the holidays are a difficult time for law enforcement and other first responders, including medical workers, who often get pulled away from festivities with loved ones to serve others. He adds that the season can also be challenging for patients and their families, who may be dealing with difficult medical issues and illnesses during what is supposed to be a celebratory time of the year. As such, the goal of the event is to build solidarity between public safety first responders and hospital workers, put a smile on the faces of patients and build positive connections between police and the public.
Randolph says that witnessing the event grow by leaps and bounds to cover such a large portion of the state and sharing in the enthusiasm of PORAC members involved in the endeavor has been gratifying.
“Each year, I am excited to see the faces of the medical staff and patients at each location, the waves as our processions drive by and the smiles and enjoyment of all the officers who come together with this shared goal of community collaboration during the holiday season,” he shares.
“It was my second year as chief at Cuesta College, and I was honored and humbled to bring our entire county together with all our agencies. We got a big spot on KJUG, our local radio station, and I was glad to see all five counties on a Zoom call coordinating together on our messaging,” he continues. “Law enforcement works together during critical events and in everyday scenarios all the time with ease. These coordinations happen thousands of times every day throughout our great country, but sometimes we fall short when it comes to community policing. It’s awesome to see us come together for events like this.”
Randolph shares that plans are in the works to take the event to even greater heights next year by expanding it to include agencies in Ventura and San Diego counties.