Police departments have gotten a bad wrap of late.
Anti-law enforcement [rotests have sprung up across the country over the past year a half in places like Baltimore and Furgeson, Mo.
“There’s so much turmoil in our country right now. It makes me wonder who would want to be a police officer in this day and time,” said Angela Beckles, of Montclair.
Beckles wanted to send a different message — one of respect and support for the men and women who wear the badge. She worked with her church, Heritage Baptist in Woodbridge, which allowed her to use the parking lot to host the “We Love You Blue” rally on Saturday.
She didn’t have any prior relationships with police before the event. She simply called them, explained what her rally was about, and they agreed to come.
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Children were able to see patrol cars, motorcycles, and a mobile tactical command center all used by agencies like Prince Wiliam County Police Department, Dumfries police, and the U.S. Marshalls.
“These people need to know that they are respected for what they do every day,” added Beckles, who is a member of the Barbara Bush Republican Women’s Club in Prince William County.
Beckles saw a uniformed police officer walking toward his cruiser when she got the idea to hold the rally. “When I saw it I said to myself, ‘we love you, blue.”
The rally was held between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Parents brought their children who climbed into the back of a U.S. Marshal’s vehicle. Inside the car, they used a microphone to speak into a loudspeaker.
“Sir, please approach the vehicle for a tour,” said 14-year-old Jack Rogers to passersby.
“A lot of people don’t know what we do” said Marshal Tim Alley. “The kids ask us ‘do you fly on airplanes’ all time.”
Alley’s unit often assists local police in their search for missing people, and in high-profile cases.
Parents also took their children to have free ID cards made by the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office. The cards can be given to police in the event a child is reported missing.
“This is something the sheriff has worked to keep as a free service in the county,” said Lt. Kellie Crespo.
The Sheriff’s Office made 40 ID cards by noon Saturday. The office typically makes 4,000 cards per year, said Crespo.
Certificates were presented to the members of the law enforcement agencies that attended the rally. Bumper stickers with “We Love You Blue” were sold for $2 each to raise awareness for local members of law enforcement.
“I’m just a citizen that wanted to hold a rally for law enforcement,” said Beckles.
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To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
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Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
