Time to paint the city blue for the folks in blue

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 Saturday in the month of September, the Thank a Rochester Cop nonprofit announced on Friday 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.

With September rapidly approaching, volunteers from the Thank a Rochester Cop organization will be at Rochester's National Night Out on Tuesday at the Rochester Commons. 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" around the city. Supplies will be available during the entire month of August, and the public is invited to stop in during regular business hours at the following locations: Holy Rosary Credit Union on Brock Street, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce on South Main Street and Granite Steak & Grill on Route 11.

In addition to painting the city blue each year, the Thank a Rochester Cop organization hosts a special appreciation event for Rochester officers and their families. This year's event will be Sept. 16, 2023, in line with National Thank a Police Officer Day and is generously underwritten by Profile Bank. For other major sponsors, and more information, please visit: www.thankarc.com or on Facebook, at: facebook.com/ThankARochesterCop.