Rochester residents invited to 'paint the city blue' to thank police

ROCHESTER — It’s time to get ready to “paint the city blue.” In preparation for National Thank a Police Officer Day, held annually on the third Saturdayof September, the Thank a Rochester Cop nonprofit in New Hampshire announced that decorations are now available to the public in support of this event.

Community members, local businesses, and residents are encouraged to show their appreciation for the Rochester Police Department by putting up decorations, signs, or making thank you cards throughout the month of September. Suggestions include replacing a porch light with a blue bulb, hanging a blue ribbon on a mailbox or a tree in the front yard, displaying a yard sign, stringing some blue lights on a porch railing or shrub, or anything else in the spirit of the event.

Volunteers from the Thank a Rochester Cop organization will be at Rochester’s National Night Out, Aug. 6, at the Spaulding High School “triangle” (Torr’s Park). Lights, bows, yard signs, and other decorations celebrating and showing gratitude for the police department will be available at no cost to the public. The generosity of local businesses makes these materials free for all, but donations are gratefully accepted.

In addition, the organization has established three “decoration stations”, or pick up locations around the city. Supplies are currently available, and will remain available during the month of August. The public is invited to stop in during regular business hours to the following locations: Holy Rosary Credit Union (Brock Street), the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce (South Main Street), and Granite Steak & Grill (Route 11).

The Thank a Rochester Cop organization is a volunteer run committee and has already begun planning this year’s activities. National Thank a Police Officer Day falls on Sept. 21. Again this year, Profile Bank is underwriting all activities to recognize and honor the Rochester Police Department.

Information: thankarc.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/ThankARochesterCop

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rochester residents invited to 'paint the city blue' to thank police