The briefing room at the Lafayette Police Department was recently chockablock full of “appreciation bags” — bags stuffed with thank-you notes from children, fruit, energy drinks, hats, shirts, water — dropped off by thankful residents. It’s just a small part of a broader, spontaneous expression of appreciation from the community for police officers in the wake of the horrific ambush and murders of cops in Baton Rouge and Dallas.
On Thursday, Takeout Express will treat Lafayette officers to a late lunch (to coincide with shift change) in what the company has dubbed “A Thank You to Those in Blue” meal.
On Friday, all 44 locations of Rouses supermarkets on the Gulf Coast will offer law enforcement officers a free lunch and drink.
The LPD has posted on its Facebook page images of handmade posters thanking the department. The community support prompted Chief Reginald Thomas to post a response: “To the Citizens of Lafayette:
I would like to personally thank the citizens of Lafayette for their outpouring of support for the Lafayette Police Department. Lafayette remains strong and I request your continued diligence to encourage peace for our community.”
On Tuesday, the City-Parish Council approved $120,000 in emergency funding to help the department update its crowd-control gear — helmets, shields, body armor, etc. — and police spokesman Cpl. Paul Mouton told The Independent the community’s response following the police shootings in other communities has been genuine and appreciated.
“The love is evident. If I could just show you a picture of our briefing room — all the food,” Mouton told us. “This community — especially Lafayette — is just awesome to us, and we know that.”
