In December 2016 and at the height of the cultural antagonism toward law enforcement officers, Bladen County law enforcement officer’s wife Melonie Davis began the Bladen County Adopt-A-Cop program. Within a week of its launch, every law enforcement office in the Mother County, as well as wildlife and park rangers, had been adopted twice and provided a gift as a token of support.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation declaring May 15 to be Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week following it to be Police Week. Davis hopes to continue the Adopt-A-Cop program as a semi-annual event, held once during Police Week and once at Christmas.
“We want to let them know there are more people for them than against them, and that the officers here in Bladen County feel appreciated for what they do,” Davis said.
Though she said the hostility “isn’t as predominant as it was last year,” instances still abound. Last week, a Raleigh Smithfield’s Chicken and Bar-B-Q restaurant made the news when the staff, including the manager, reportedly sang “F— the Police” while Raleigh police officers dined. The franchisee owner issued an apology to the Raleigh Police Department.
“I think it’s surprising people are that way,” said Davis. “It’s still going on, where they’re being ridiculed and accused of whatever, just because they’re wearing a badge. Every time they put a uniform on, there’s no guarantee they’re going to walk back through the doors.”
The Adopt-A-Cop program will be accepting donations between now and May 12. The program is currently in need of 40 more adoptions, and Davis said she hopes churches, businesses, groups, classes, clubs, and individuals will get on board with the idea.
Anyone interesting in adopting an officer can contact Davis to get a badge number. The donation should include a card or thank you note and a gift valued at $25. Past gifts include gift cards to restaurants, car washing baskets, grill sets, and hygiene kits, to name a few.
Recipients of the gift-giving program include the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Highway Patrol of Bladen County, wildlife officers, park rangers, Elizabethtown Police Department, Bladenboro Police Department, and White Lake Police Department, for a total of 118 officers and three canines.
A luncheon for the officers to pick up gifts is in the works and will be announced at a later date.
Anyone willing to sponsor an officer may email bladencountyadoptacop@yahoo.com or call Davis at South Bank at 910-498-0492.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.