North Pole patrol

By: Dick Brinster
   HIGHTSTOWN — ‘Tis the season to be … Santa Claus.
   Patrolman David Chenoweth has been doing it for 15 years, and says he never tires of putting on the whiskers, padding and red suit, and uttering his best "ho, ho, ho."
   "I love when the kids see Santa," he said this week. "I can make kids do anything wearing that suit, from helping mom and dad around the house to doing their homework."
   That subject is likely to be broached when the 42-year-old father from Middletown makes his 2006 debut in the fat man’s suit. His opening act will be Dec. 16 at the Grace Norton Rogers School, just a few blocks from headquarters.
   "I’m playing Santa for the Community Action (Service) Center for 500 kids," said Patrolman Chenoweth, a 12-year veteran of the force who preceded that with six years as a policeman in Allentown.
   Law enforcement is a way of life in his family. He has three brothers also wearing badges in other communities and two sisters who are homemakers.
   All are without their mother this holiday season after her recent death from cancer. In a way, Patrolman Chenoweth sees all the community service of the family as a tribute to both parents. He and his brothers also are volunteer firemen.
   "My dad still lives across the street from my home, and he’s proud of the way he raised all of us," he said.
   Patrolman Chenoweth, whose wife, Antoinette, is a Continental Airlines flight attendant, gets to practice his Santa routine at home on 3-year-old daughter, Danielle. It comes in handy when the children start jumping in his lap, willingly or otherwise.
   "I would say between the ages of 1 and 4, they are scared," he explained. "From 5 and up, I can’t get them off my lap."
   And he says he loves every precious minute of it.
   "It’s all happy and fun when I put that suit on" he said of a process that takes 30 minutes. "The kids get gifts from me and that makes them happy."
   His only bothersome part of the job is when older children claim he isn’t the real Santa Claus. He handles it with aplomb, imploring them with a whisper not to spoil things for the younger kids, he said.
   Patrolman Chenoweth recalls only one extremely sad moment in the suit.
   "It was when 9/11 hit us," he said. "I had a kid ask me for his dad back. I went home and cried."
   He gave the child a gift that made his face turn from sad to happy, about all Santa or anyone else could hope for under the circumstances.
   "I sure wish I could have given him his dad back," Patrolman Chenoweth said.
   It’s easier when the only problem is financial, and he hears that quite often. So, he solves it by making sure the child from the poor family gets plenty of gifts.
   Riding on the back of a firetruck waving to the children on Christmas Eve is one of the ultimate thrills for Patrolman Chenoweth. And it’s quite a relief in another way.
   "The suit is very hot indoors," he explained. "If I am outside that’s the best. I get to stay cool."
   But there was a time when he found himself in hot water, literally.
   "This one little kid jumped up on my lap and peed all over me," he said with a laugh."