Santa Claus gets edgy as he speeds out of Downtown Silver Spring on a motorcycle. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Who needs a sleigh and a gaggle of reindeer when you've got a Montgomery County Police motorcycle and a bunch of cops?

Montgomery County Police's annual Santa Ride made a pit stop in Downtown Silver Spring this afternoon, and many passersby were understandably confused by the presence of some 20 or more police officers on motorcycles (see that photo after the jump) in downtown. Not another hostage situation!

Nope, just an event to raise money and collect gift cards to benefit the Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health. The officers stopped at all six police district stations before making their way to a Children's Inn party.

Santa gets a pretty serious security detail. (Photo: TBD Staff)

You're never too young to be scared by Santa. (Photo: TBD Staff)

Nor too old to still be impressed by Santa. (Photo: TBD Staff)