Grapevine holds Back the Blue event to show support of police force

The city of Grapevine held a special event July 22 that was complete with bows and cookies to show that residents Back the Blue.

The Historic Downtown Grapevine Association tied blue bows throughout Historic Downtown Main Street that day in recognition and support of the Grapevine police officers and officers nationwide.

Citizens of Grapevine, the downtown merchants and members of First Baptist Church partnered in the event.

Doris Solomon, former owner of the Main Street Station, made the blue bows for Main Street and the Grapevine Police Department.

Debi Meek, with the Historic Downtown Grapevine Association, said citizens worked together to show the police department their “support and appreciation for protecting them for decades.”

They also requested that citizens bake cookies to donate to the officers. Organizers said they were overwhelmed with 120 dozen cookies from the community and shared the treats with the Grapevine Fire Department and the Grapevine-based Christian charity GRACE (Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange).

Supporters also wrote cards.

Police Chief Eddie Salame said that “Back the Blue means so much to the Police Department and law enforcement in general.”

“The support from the citizens means more than words can say,” Salame said. “The citizens have always been supportive but really wrapped their arms around us [in wake of the Dallas Police Officers slayings] and that means so much to me and the Police Department.”

In conjunction with surrounding firefighters associations, the Grapevine Firefighters Association will be offering financial and moral support to the Dallas Police Officers Association and to the Grapevine Police Officers Association Benevolent Fund by selling T-shirts that convey their support for their sacrifices.

All proceeds will be divided and given to the two organizations to provide assistance to the families.

Show your support by ordering a T-shirt from http://bigdawgshirtshack.com/products/grapevine-ffa-back-the-blue-vintage-black-tee.

This story was originally published August 2, 2016 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Grapevine holds Back the Blue event to show support of police force."