The Morro Bay Police Department is inviting all citizens and businesses to participate in “Project Blue Light” this holiday season by placing a single, blue light in your window as an expression of support for fallen officers, the department announced.
Project Blue Light began in 1988 when Philadelphia, Penn., police Ofc. Danny Gleason was killed in the line of duty. His mother-in-law wrote a letter to “Concerns of Police Survivors,” a support group for police families, and said she would honor her late son-in-law by placing a blue light in her window.
The gesture has grown into a way of recognizing law enforcement officers who serve and protect the public, and remembering those who have been killed in the line of duty across America.
MBPD Police Chief Larry Todd said, “I feel it is an important time for citizens to express their support for their local police officers, especially with the unprecedented number of officers who have been deliberately targeted and killed this past year. Our officers strive to build a strong police/community partnership and this is an easy, meaningful way for citizens to show their support.”
Right now, small, ornamental lamps are easy to find at bargain prices or readers and local businesses might already have a lamp they could use. Put a blue bulb in it, available at hardware stores or online, and put it in the front window to be lit from Dec. 1-31. Other possibilities include putting a blue bulb in an outside fixture or in the garage, or string up totally blue Christmas lights this year.
