(photo courtesy of LASD)

Members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Transit Bureau North Bureau recently spread holiday joy to the children in the pediatric wards at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in Hollywood.

Transit Bureau North is one of the LASD bureaus that provides police services to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) buses, trains, and properties. Many of the families who received gifts use Metro buses and trains to get to and from work, school and doctors’ appointments.

Sheriff’s Security Assistant/Fare Inspector Maria Carlin led the effort to secure toy donations for the large number of children who spend the holidays in the hospital. The toys were delivered by Capt. Jennifer Bateman, Red Line Sector Lt. Michael Mendoza, and numerous Transit North Bureau deputies.

Security assistant/fare inspector Jerry Rocha dressed as Santa Claus. The children and their parents were filled with joy when the 6-foot-7-inch Rocha entered their rooms.

“It’s our business to keep Metro patrons safe when they ride the buses and trains,” Bateman said. “However, it’s a very special feeling when we can make even one kid smile and hopefully forget where they are and why they’re there. I’m so proud of my staff and how they’ve given so much of themselves without hesitation.”