SPORTS EDITOR
When students arrived at Dix Street Elementary School in Otsego on Monday, Jan. 9, they were greeted by officers from the Otsego Police Department and the Michigan State Police.
In addition to saying “hello” to the officers, several of the students presented the visitors with homemade cards expressing words of encouragement.
Dix Street Parent-Teacher Association president Caitlyn Moore believes the interaction between the students and officers—in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciate Day—had a positive impact on all involved.
“I hope that those children who have a fear not only of law enforcement, but also the unknown at school leave with a sense of security,” Moore said. “And I hope that the officers walk away with a sense of belonging and feel great about their day. I want them to know we support them and appreciate them. “I also want the officers to know that they may have a positive effect on someone without even knowing it by just simply being there.” Moore has wanted to get police officers involved in the local schools and thought this event would be a positive step in that direction. “Otsego has a fantastic community and part of keeping our community as great as it is comes from the job done by our first responders,” she said. “Those in the law enforcement community, just like any first responder, are people we usually see in a troubled time. Their job is at times being highlighted in a poor light.
“I wanted the officers to be exposed to the children in a positive way in their environment so the children could see that that the officers are a part of our community and show why they are needed to support a healthy community.” Law Enforcement Appreciation Day began in 2015, with several organizations supporting the observance in an effort to shine a positive light on the members of the law enforcement community and the work they do. Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S)—a group that provides resources to families of officers killed in the line of duty—was among the biggest supporters of the initiative.
“In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all,” reads a statement on the C.O.P.S website. “On January 9 of each year, we will call our nation’s citizens to action in
support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given to law enforcement are encouraged to take time on January 9 to show their support.”
Recommended ways of showing support for law enforcement include:
* Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
* Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
* Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
* Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement.
* Participate in ProjectBlue Light by displaying a blue light at your home in support of law enforcement.
* Organize an event or a rally in support of law enforcement officers.
* Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards.
* Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your organization’s webpage or social media pages.
* Coordinate and/or participate in a Blue Blood Drive.
“We just want to let our law enforcement agencies know how appreciative and how thankful we are for them,” Moore said. “And it means so much that they’d take time out of their day to greet the students before school.”
BY JASON WESSELDYK
SPORTS EDITOR
When students arrived at Dix Street Elementary School in Otsego on Monday, Jan. 9, they were greeted by officers from the Otsego Police Department and the Michigan State Police.
In addition to saying “hello” to the officers, several of the students presented the visitors with homemade cards expressing words of encouragement.
Dix Street Parent-Teacher Association president Caitlyn Moore believes the interaction between the students and officers—in recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciate Day—had a positive impact on all involved.
“I hope that those children who have a fear not only of law enforcement, but also the unknown at school leave with a sense of security,” Moore said. “And I hope that the officers walk away with a sense of belonging and feel great about their day. I want them to know we support them and appreciate them. “I also want the officers to know that they may have a positive effect on someone without even knowing it by just simply being there.” Moore has wanted to get police officers involved in the local schools and thought this event would be a positive step in that direction. “Otsego has a fantastic community and part of keeping our community as great as it is comes from the job done by our first responders,” she said. “Those in the law enforcement community, just like any first responder, are people we usually see in a troubled time. Their job is at times being highlighted in a poor light.
“I wanted the officers to be exposed to the children in a positive way in their environment so the children could see that that the officers are a part of our community and show why they are needed to support a healthy community.” Law Enforcement Appreciation Day began in 2015, with several organizations supporting the observance in an effort to shine a positive light on the members of the law enforcement community and the work they do. Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S)—a group that provides resources to families of officers killed in the line of duty—was among the biggest supporters of the initiative.
“In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult and sometimes impossible career they have chosen, in public service to us all,” reads a statement on the C.O.P.S website. “On January 9 of each year, we will call our nation’s citizens to action in
support of law enforcement. Those citizens who appreciate law enforcement and are discouraged about the negative attention being given to law enforcement are encouraged to take time on January 9 to show their support.”
Recommended ways of showing support for law enforcement include:
* Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
* Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
* Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
* Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement.
* Participate in ProjectBlue Light by displaying a blue light at your home in support of law enforcement.
* Organize an event or a rally in support of law enforcement officers.
* Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards.
* Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your organization’s webpage or social media pages.
* Coordinate and/or participate in a Blue Blood Drive.
“We just want to let our law enforcement agencies know how appreciative and how thankful we are for them,” Moore said. “And it means so much that they’d take time out of their day to greet the students before school.”