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Local News

City of Wayland thanks law enforcement in a big way

A #JustSayThanks campaign to show thanks and appreciation to local law enforcement went far beyond the expectations of its sponsor, the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce.

Homeowners and businesses showed their support by displaying yard signs, banners, blue ribbons and Thin Blue Line window clings. Every other street light is wrapped in blue Christmas-type lights, with blue bows and a banner.

 

Chamber Executive Director Denise Behm said the color blue represents law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice and in honor of those who protect and serve their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

“When an officer puts on his or her badge each day, they are also risking their life to protect and serve us. They do not know if they will make it home at the end of their shift. They sacrifice and endure extreme situations that most of us would not want to imagine. We wanted to show our thanks to them and let them know that they are appreciated,” Behm said.

 

The response from residents and the community “was awesome,” she said.

The goal was 50 signs in homeowners yards, they are now at 130 signs, mainly on the two streets leading into the city, Main and Superior.

 

At the close of the campaign, the chamber will host a free appreciation dinner for the Wayland City Police, Gun Lake Tribal Police, Michigan State Police, Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and the Wayland Fire Department. The dinner is dedicated to all those invited: officers, firefighters, spouses, significant others, and children. //

 

The signs are not just in Wayland. Visitors from Indiana, Texas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Frankfort asked for signs to display at their homes.

Behm suggested putting a “Thanks, we appreciate you,” on Facebook, Twitter or other social media. Tagline #JustSayThanks links it to similar posts.

 

In the future, every year during the week of May 15, the national Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, all of the signs, flags, banners, blue lights and ribbons will be brought out and displayed.

For more on the event or chamber, visit denise@waylandchamber.org or call 269-792-9246.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: (upper left) Executive Director of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce Denise Behm shows items displayed around town during the #JustSayThanks campaign.

 

 

(center left) Every other light pole in downtown Wayland has a blue bow, blue Christmas-type lights and a banner recognizing law enforcement.

 

 

(lower left) Some 130 signs are on Main Street and Superior streets during the month long #JustSayThanks campaign.

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