SYLACAUGA, Ala. – On Sept. 21, Sylacauga residents, businesses, churches and civic groups are invited to show their appreciation for the Sylacauga Police Department by “Painting the Town Blue!”
Downtown businesses are encouraged to place a blue ribbon on their door as a symbol of their support. Civic groups are encouraged to make proclamations in support our men and women in law enforcement. Churches are encouraged to recognize any of their members who may be in law enforcement; and individuals can also place blue ribbons on their doors and door posts, perhaps their mail boxes.
Other ways to express appreciation for the men and women in “blue” including writing a letter of commendation to the police chief or editor of the local paper, or making a short video expressing appreciation with your smart phone and posting on their FaceBook page, or by simply stopping an officer and saying “Thanks.”
Sylacauga Police Chief, Kelley Johnson, and other Department Personnel attended the Coosa Valley Ministerial Association meeting, and the “Paint the Town Blue” program was presented with suggestions regarding how the local churches can express their appreciation, perhaps on Sunday, Sept. 22, or on another date the church leaders deem appropriate.
The Sylacauga Police Department’s moto is “Duty, Honor, Community.” Sylacauga’s Administration and Officers are dedicated to their commitment to “Protect and Serve.” Patrol Officers constantly patrol the streets monitoring traffic conditions, checking on local merchant status, assisting stranded motorist, and providing a host of services that never catch the media’s or public’s attention.
Today there is no such thing as a “routine stop.” Each traffic stop potentially presents the officer with a confrontation. One of the potentially dangerous response an officer makes is the call to domestic violence. Equally dangerous is possible exposure to a growing problem – meth labs, which includes potentially lethal exposure to chemicals and/or explosions.
Indeed, the officers responsibility is to “protect and serve” but it is often unfortunate that in an effort to fulfill that call the officer’s actions may be misunderstood. They arrive on a scene without knowing the full scope and nature of the issues they are called upon to address and expected to make immediate and correct decisions.
SPD Chaplain Mark Ledbetter invites anyone to contact him for questions regarding “Paint the Town Blue” events, and welcomes all suggestions on how our community can express our appreciation for all our Law Enforcement Officers do on behalf of our community. Chaplain Ledbetter may be contacted by either calling 256-626-9627 or email: [email protected].