The wait for Santa Claus is often a long one. It is good to have a network so that intelligence about the Christmas icon can be shared.

On Park Street on Wednesday night, Tina Dowd stood with her two sons, waiting for Santa’s arrival. He was late and the kids were getting antsy.

“I have a source in Auburn,” Dowd said about 6:45 p.m., “who tells me Santa just went by.”

It was true. While horses hauled riders on carriages downtown and carolers sang in Dufresne Plaza, formerly known as Courthouse Plaza, Santa was on the move.

In addition to her well-placed sources across the river, Dowd had a pair of investigators with her to provide additional intelligence.

“He’s a big man in red clothes and he has a big, white beard,” said her 8-year-old son, Spence, producing a dead-on description of the man. “I know his other name, too. It’s Kris Kringle.”

Nearby, 4-year-old Elliot was too busy kicking a Styrofoam cup around to provide additional details. But Dowd was confident her son would recognize the mysterious elf when he appeared.

“Oh, he knows who Santa is,” she said. “Absolutely.”

Ultimately, there was no need for Santa surveillance. About 7 p.m., a long parade of wise men and upright reindeer, wagons and elves ushered Santa onto Park Street. He arrived in a firetruck and stepped out to a mob of waiting children.

Elliot abandoned the Styrofoam cup at last to greet Santa and receive a pat on the head. Spence watched from a short distance away and verified that this indeed was the man they had all been waiting for.

“That’s him,” he said. “Yup. That’s Santa.”