National News
Criminal history checks for Santa? Security experts say it's common practice
December 12, 2016 posted by Steve Brownstein
Security experts and members of the Michigan Association of Professional Santas (MAPS) say it's not irrational to do criminal background checks before hiring Santas for shopping malls, office parties, or other events.
"When we look around the country, there have certainly been a few Santas involved with criminal activity," said Kevin Belk, Vice President of DK Security and former Grand Rapids Police Chief.
Belk says although rare, some volunteering to play the role of Santa, and some hired have been later found to be registered sex offenders, and even accused of possessing child pornography.
"That certainly would make them inappropriate for contact with children," he added.
According to Belk, many malls in Michigan, and across the country, do criminal on potential Santa candidates, but smaller organizations and churches sometimes skip the background step.
Belk said that parents shouldn't feel paranoid or overprotective inquiring about such background checks.
"If they have a concern, I would recommend they contact the organization involved, and make sure that they've done a comprehensive background check on the people that they're giving access to children to," he said.
Newschannel 3's I-Team reached out to various shopping malls in West Michigan to inquire about background checks and the Santa hiring process, only the Lakeview Square Mall in Battle Creek responded that the company it hires to find Santa, does criminal background checks.
The mall provided a statement:
"World Wide Photography conducts extensive background checks and other screenings. Our Santa at Lakeview Square Mall in Battle Creek has met WWP’s requirements and, in fact, has delighted children coming to Lakeview Square Mall for more than five years."
Norm "Santa" Gerring has been playing the role of Santa for years, and is a member of the Michigan Association of Professional Santas.
Gerring says MAPS members often encourage those seeking to do Santa gigs proactively have background checks to provide to potential clients.
"Absolutely, I carry it with me," he said. "The security checks can be run locally or through state police."
Those looking to hire Santa can run their own background checks on potential candidates through a Michigan law enforcement website known as IChat, but security experts warn IChat only covers potential Michigan criminal history.
Over at DK Security, Belk says the company, along with several others offer broader security checks that look through national databases.