This is so typical of governmental overreaction and their wanting to legislate in a manner designed to eliminate all risks and all negative consequences in life. The case: One volunteer answering these letters was discovered to be a sex offender, but he never had an opportunity to answer even one letter; but by golly that means it is better to close the whole thing down and computerize Santa’s personal answers to letters from children.

It’s like the Grinch trying to steal Christmas: Strict anti-padophile rules on Santa Claus letters close down North Pole

For 55 years, the tiny Alaskan town of North Pole has been diligently answering a deluge of letters addressed to Santa Claus.


But the tradition has come to an abrupt halt after strict new anti-pedophile rules effectively closed down the town’s festive service.

Hundreds of letters which have already arrived from eager children across the States may now be recycled.

The US Postal Service canceled its Operation Santa program which answers 150,000 children’s letter every year, after a volunteer was unmasked as a sex offender.

He was sacked before he could answer any letters, but the incident in Maryland sparked a nationwide clampdown.

Operation Santa had relied on thousands of volunteers to open the post and respond on behalf of Father Christmas, identifying themselves as the his elves and helpers.

These will now be replaced by a computerised system - blocking individuals access to children’s names and addresses.

However, the post office which serves North Pole, near the city of Fairbanks, simply cannot deal with editing out the names and replacing them with codes.

North Pole residents are likening the Postal Service to the Grinch trying to steal Christmas.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1229485/Its-like-Grinch-trying-steal-Christmas-Strict-anti-paedophile-rules-Santa-Claus-letters-close-North-Pole.html#ixzz0XQ0iRpON

Happy Holidays!