When people in Clark County wanted to show their appreciation for local law enforcement, they showed it with sweet treats.
The Washougal Police Department was gifted with cookies, Vancouver police got a pie, a family dropped off doughnuts at the Battle Ground police station, and when Camas police got to work, they found a table full of cookies and doughnuts. The Ridgefield Police Department got a healthy bag of oranges.
Friday, the first National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, wasn’t about feeding cops but about the message behind the gestures. Agencies got emails and cards thanking the men and women whose job is to project and serve.
“In today’s climate, I think anything that can strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community is good,” said Camas police Sgt. Scot Boyles.
The event, organized by the Camden, Mo.-based Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, was organized in response to the recent national news that has led to animosity toward police.
“Even with recent events, the vast majority of the citizens — at least those I come in contact with — still appreciate what we do, regardless of a holiday or not,” Boyles said.
Following the controversy surrounding the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in New York City, Boyles said people have made a point to stop and voice their ongoing support.
“I’ve had people just come out of the woodwork since then,” Boyles said. “I think that the general public is fed up with a lot of the negative media coverage. … People who have that thankful spirit, show it.”
There’s small gestures throughout the year, too. In the past, Boyles has arrived at work and found a note on his desk, thanking him for doing something, whether it’s unlocking a car door or intervening during a family crisis.
“I know people do appreciate us in the community cause they wave at us all the time,” said Clark County sheriff’s Sgt. Fred Neiman.
It’s nice to be thanked for doing a job that can, at times, be dangerous, said Battle Ground police Chief Bob Richardson.
“I’ve had people come up to me and thank me for what we do,” he said. “For the most part people are very positive up here.”
The mayors in Battle Ground and Vancouver made proclamations recognizing National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Fire District 3 changed the electronic sign board at its Hockinson headquarters to read “National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day THANK YOU.”
Other people voiced their appreciation over social media by chiming in on a law enforcement agency’s Facebook page or changing their profile picture to show support for law enforcement. “Thank you for being just a phone call away in times of trouble,” Bonnie Sabel Welte wrote on the Vancouver Police Department’s page.
“People are definitely taking to law enforcement appreciation day,” said Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp.
Kapp, who monitors the agency’s social media accounts, said most of the comments and messages she sees are positive.
“It’s a nice opportunity for people to let us know what they think about the service that our personnel provides,” said Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp. “We have a lot of community support.”
