Brisk sales for yard signs, blue bulbs supporting Palatine police officers
Members of a nonprofit say they are gratified by a positive community reaction to their effort to get residents and businesses to show public appreciation for Palatine police.
Sales of yard signs and blue LED bulbs showing support for local law enforcement have been headed by the Palatine PD Boosters to lead into National Police Week from Sunday though May 18. The idea is for the signs and blue bulbs to be displayed during the special police week.
About 300 signs and all 89 bulbs were sold on the first weekend, May 4 and 5, at two Jewel-Osco stores, Eurofresh Market and a farmers market in the village, Palatine PD Boosters President John Robeznieks said.
"We are very happy with the results," said Robeznieks, a Palatine attorney.
Group members will be back selling the signs for $10 - to cover printing costs - from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Eurofresh, 130 W. Northwest Highway. They'll also be at the Palatine farmers market from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Metra station.
Featuring a blue badge in the middle, the sign reads: "We Support The Palatine PD. Thank You For Your Service." Some signs already have popped up at visible Palatine businesses, including Mother Cluckers Kitchen on Northwest Highway.
National Police Week involves several organizations honoring U.S. law enforcement. The main organizers include the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Fraternal Order of Police/Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary and Concerns of Police Survivors.
Robeznieks and other graduates from the Palatine Citizen Police Academy started the nonprofit booster organization shortly after completing the course in late 2017.
In its short time, the Palatine PD Boosters have provided Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to department employees working those days and assisted authorities in a prescription drug take-back program outside police headquarters in October.
The nonprofit held a golf fundraiser in September to generate money for goals that include providing support and manpower at police-sponsored events, helping on community outreach and organizing recreational outings for officers and their families.