How Rochester, NH Is Gearing Up for Thank a Police Officer Day 2018

I look online for many things; news stories, clip art, upcoming event listings, etc, but one of the things I've come across in the last year is just too awesome to keep to myself. Back in the summer of 2017, while Googling "thank a police officer day", I'd found a few images and graphics relating to a particular observance where residents were making plans together to show appreciation to their local law enforcement. Seeing "Rochester" displayed across the artwork led me to assume it took place in New York, but when I began seeing their posts again this year I realized it was actually Rochester, New Hampshire. But these aren't ordinary plans, run-of-the-mill happenings, or the usual town event; THIS is a celebration of the men and women across the neighborhoods of a community pulling out all the stops. I knew I had to find out the details - and more importantly, share it with you.

National Thank A Police Officer Day announcement, 
via the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

"Join the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Rotary Club, Holy Rosary Credit Union, American Legion Unit 7 Women's Auxiliary and Rochester Main Street in a city-wide celebration to "Paint the City Blue" to show our appreciation of our local police officers on September 15, 2018, which is National Thank A Police Officer Day.

Public spaces will be decorated with blue ribbons, bows and lights including the Rochester Commons, Parson Main, downtown light poles and green space along a portion of Columbus Avenue. Portions of other arterial roads including Wakefield, South Main, North Main Streets will also be decorated. Many are volunteering to help with this effort and some of the local schools are developing artwork that will be displayed at several downtown businesses.

This group invites residents and businesses to join them in thanking members of the Rochester Police Department by hanging a ribbon or bow in your front yard on a tree or on your mailbox, replace a porch light bulb with a blue one, string blue Christmas lights on a small tree or shrub, put up a yard sign or anything else in the spirit of the event. The group has purchased for distribution a limited number of bows, light bulbs and yard signs. These are available at the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce at 18 South Main Street, Granite Steak & Grill at 11 Farmington Road and Holy Rosary Credit Union at 133 Brock Street in Rochester. These items are free, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds will be applied to additional supplies and any excess funds will be donated to the Rochester Police Benevolent Association. Rochester Rotary Charities is acting as the fiduciary for the coalition.

Thank You card stations have been set up at various locations in the city. Each week, these locations rotate, so check the Facebook page "Thank a Rochester Cop" to see where they are. Stop by and fill out one of our "Thank You" postcards, or drop one of your own personal "thank you" cards off for our men & women in blue! Hashtag: #ThanksRochesterNHPD

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9.3.18 "Groups gear up for National Thank a Police Officer Day" via The Rochester Voice

Rochester, NH: A celebration planned in recognition and appreciation of Rochester police officers is scheduled for Sept. 15, which is National Thank A Police Officer Day. The "Paint the City Blue" event is sponsored by The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Rochester Rotary Club, Holy Rosary Credit Union, American Legion Unit 7 Women's Auxiliary and Rochester Main Street."

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9.5.18 Students to Thank Local Police through Art via Fosters Daily Democrat (photo credit)

"Students at multiple Rochester schools have embarked on a multimedia art project that will honor the city's police department, dispatchers and non-sworn staff in conjunction with the upcoming Sept. 15 National Thank A Police Officer Day. Students will paint murals on the windows of downtown businesses and interview and photograph Rochester Police Department staff to create matted displays that will be hung in downtown to highlight the human side of law enforcement."

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Found on the website of a local business, L-Tron Corporation, which participated last year, "6 ways you can celebrate “Thank A Police Officer Day” (and say thank you)":

•Bring treats down to the station.
•Visit a memorial and pay your respects to those who have given their lives.
•Thank a Police Officer in your neighborhood.
•Thank a Police Officer by sending notes or cards to the station.
•Share positive stories about how a Police Officer has helped you.
•Pay it forward – pay for a Police Officer’s lunch or morning coffee in your travels.

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From their Facebook page: "Bows, bulbs and yard signs (in limited quantities) are still available at Holy Rosary Credit Union on Brock Street, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce on South Main, and Granite Steak & Grill on Route 11. The items are free, but if you choose to make a donation to defray costs, the bows and bulbs are $1 and the signs are $6."

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And last but not least, the way the local library got involved: see the post on their Facebook page here.

WOW. Seeing all these plans, so many people joining together, reading the invitations to area residents to participate in this celebration - just took my breath away. THIS is what we need more of - THESE are the choices made by a community to stand up and say "we back our officers". Rochester, NH ~ you rock.