Lakewood-Busti Police Chief Christopher DePonceau is pictured with Gerald Sayre, who also goes by Santa and his Rudolph-mobile. Submitted photo

LAKEWOOD — Following a brief holiday hiccup, Gerald Sayre and his colorful ride will again be out wishing local residents a Merry Christmas.

Officers with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department recently stopped Sayre due to the flashing lights that decorate his beloved PT Cruiser that he has decked out with brilliant lights and a sound system that plays “Santa Claus is Coming To Town.” However, after a discussion with Police Chief Christopher DePonceau, the two sorted out the problem and DePonceau delivered Santa a gift — a light switch that he can turn on from inside his car.

“We spoke for about an hour and everything has been settled,” DePonceau said. “I’m happy and he’s happy. I’m personally making him a switch for his vehicle so he can turn his lights on and off at his discretion. I told him that we didn’t have a problem with him being in the parking lots of businesses with the lights on and the music on, giving out candy canes. We just had the issue with the flashing lights because his lights were flashing on the car in all different colors because they’re Christmas lights. We just didn’t want anybody to be confused as to whether it was an emergency vehicle approaching or the Santa car.”

Said Sayre, “I’m not out to do anybody any harm. I’m out there for the kids and the older people to bring some kind of joy to their life.”

See Tuesday’s edition for complete coverage.