At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Airport Police and Santa Claus walked the second busiest airport in the USA, greeting passengers, posing with travelers and employees while handing out teddy bears, candy canes and ornaments to children traveling on Christmas morning.
This marks the forth year that Santa Claus, Steve Van Noord, spent his Christmas morning dressed as Santa Claus walking with Airport Police handing out stuffed animals. With a jolly Ho Ho Ho, Van Noord said, “We look forward to this every year, seeing the joy on all the children’s faces and the excitement of seeing Santa Claus as he gives them gifts, it’s really an amazing feeling.”
“Keeping the traveling public safe and secure is our first priority and many of us can’t be with our own children on Christmas morning, but to see the happiness that Santa brings to these children fills that empty space till we can make it home to our families,” said Airport Police Officer Rob Pedregon.
In addition to its nearly 550 sworn officers, the Los Angeles Airport Police includes 430 security officers and nearly 200 civilian professional staff. As the largest aviation law enforcement agency in the nation, the Airport Police patrols and secures Los Angeles International — the second busiest commercial airport in the U.S. – and Van Nuys (general aviation) airports.
