Minooka 'painted blue' over weekend in show of support for police

MINOOKA – The streets of Minooka were lined Saturday with the color blue, while fences and trees around the police station on the corner of Wabena and McEvilly roads were filled with banners, balloons and ribbons – all to show support to the Minooka Police Department.

Laura Reed created an event for Saturday on Facebook called “Paint Minooka BLUE” at the Minooka Community Center, where volunteers cut blue plastic tablecloths into strips, blew up balloons and created posters to don the streets with blue in response to the new Sept. 19 National Thank a Police Officer Day.

“I saw an idea online where people were doing this in other communities, and with the recent events going on with the police, I wanted to do something,” Reed said. “This is a safe town, and it seems like the police can’t do anything without threats, so it’s time to start showing support.”

What Reed was seeing online was a part of the Illinois Auxiliary-Wives Behind the Badge campaign called Paint Illinois Blue.

There have been 83 deaths of law enforcement officers in the line of duty in 2015, according to a news release from the group. The organization wishes to serve as a positive voice for all law enforcement in communities across the nation with events like Paint Illinois Blue.

The nonprofit began selling #isupportblue T-shirts for $15 at pop-up locations throughout the state, offering pictures to be taken while wearing the shirts to raise funds to buy lunches for police officers.

“This fundraiser took off more than we expected. Our goal was 50 shirts, or $750, and the last time I checked we had sold over $9,000 in shirts,” said Candace Battung, local Illinois Auxiliary-Wives Behind the Badge volunteer. “The Minooka 201 School District and local McDonald’s also changed their signs to support the cause.”

With the statewide awareness, Reed decided to piggyback on the group’s efforts by showing similar support in Minooka. After the ribbons were cut and signs were made, the volunteers hit the town Saturday to tie bows on poles and trees, as well as put up signs and balloons.

Member of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Explorer program, Dylan Blough, 14, his brother Hunter Blough, 12, and mother Michelle Urtz of Minooka cut ribbons for more than 90 minutes.

“I had a great-grandpa who was an officer for the Chicago Police Department for 33 years,” Dylan Blough said. He said he was taking part because he wants police “to know they are important and that we are behind them.”

While decorating the fences outside of the police department, Lydia Reed, 12, said she has heard stories on the news “and I don’t think what is going on is right. I’m glad my mom wanted to do something about it and I am glad I could help.”

Sgt. Gary Fiedler walked over from his patrol car to thank the crew for decorating and showing support.

“I think society is sick of what a small minority is doing. They see it as an insult to society as a whole. I know we get a bad rap sometimes, but it’s nice to see that there are people out there who do appreciate us,” Fiedler said.

Reed spent part of Sunday at the Minooka Community Picnic at Lions Park, where she passed out blue ribbons, banners and cards for people to take home and distribute to thank an officer.

–––––

GET INVOLVED

For information or decorations, email seascape1012@yahoo.com.