Community Shows They Care On 'National Thank A Police Officer Day'

NEW KENSINGTON (KDKA) -- New Kensington and Arnold Police are getting the personal touch on National Thank A Police Officer Day.

A group of concerned citizens showed up at the department with gifts officers can use everyday like pens, notebooks, coffee mugs full of candy with special messages of support.

"A tootsie roll to help you roll with the punches, peppermint paddy to help you keep your cool, dum-dums because you deal with a lot of them, a PAYDAY because you are not doing it for the money," said organizer Felicia Junod.

School children drew more than 1,000 cards to be distributed to 45 local departments. Under the Adopt An Officer program, 738 officers will receive coffee mugs.

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"If you see and officer on the street just walk up to them shake their hand and say thank you, it really means a lot to them," Junod said.

"I think it will give the officers a great feeling which is what we needed during these times," said New Kensington Detective Robert Deringer.

"It's overwhelming. And it's impressive,"

Officer Robert Laport said this show of appreciation helps him become even more dedicated.

"There are a lot of good police officers, I know they've gotten a lot of bad press lately, we have a good department here and we try to help the community in any way it doesn't matter race, creed, color, religion or anything we're for everyone," Laport said.

Felicia Junod is married to a police officer. She says they deserve a thank you for a difficult and often thankless job.

"They go out there everyday and risk their lives to protect and serve the communities they work in they care about them very much it's a dangerous job and it's gotten more dangerous over the years."