By Erin Smith
In honor of National Police Week in May, the Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop is offering our local communities the opportunity to show their support for our Bladen County law enforcement officers by “adopting” an officer for National Police Week. Melanie Davis, one of the many organizers for Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop, said this will be the third year for the event. Gifts are due by Friday, May 11th.
Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop offers citizens an opportunity twice per year to show their support for law enforcement by adopting an officer and providing them with items such as chewing gum, candy, gift cards, and items they can keep in their patrol cars along with a thank you note. Adoptions include K-9s as well as their handlers, said Davis.
“This gives us a time where we can show our appreciation for them (law enforcement),” said Davis.
This year, May 13-19, 2018, is designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Week. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Davis said this year, Bladen County Adopt-a-Cop has once more provided our local communities with an opportunity to show their support and appreciation for National Police Week.
Davis said Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop was organized as a means of expressing appreciation for our local law enforcement officers and all that they do to keep your communities safe. All of the local law enforcement agencies are included in the program. Davis said there are about 120 officers, including three K9s throughout Bladen County.
Davis said Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop hosts these programs twice per year— during National Peace Officers Memorial Week in May and again at Christmas time. This event will be the fifth such event since Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop was created. Davis said the goal is to get every officer “adopted” by members of our community. Adoptions include a thank you card or note and a gift valued around $25.
David said individuals, businesses, and churches that are interested in adopting officers will be given their officer’s name and badge number so they can address their gift accordingly. Davis said after all of the gifts have been collected, they will be distributed to the various agencies.
“We have held special presentations and luncheons for the officers over the last few years. We would like to be blessed enough to do so again this May,” said Davis.
If you are interested in adopting an officer, please let Melonie Knight Davis know and she’ll send you a message with an officer’s name and badge number. The message will also include drop off location information. The due date for gifts is Friday, May 11th.
If you are interested in adopting an officer or making a donation, contact Davis by calling 910-308-8148, by email at bladencountyadoptacop@yahoo.
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