Cookies and glitter: KC area shows support for its police officers

Loads of baked goods, candy and other treats have arrived at the Lenexa Police Department this week, but for Master Patrol Officer Dan Friesen, it’s the cards hand-made by children that really stand out.

“It just puts that extra smile on your face,” said Friesen, the spokesman for Lenexa police.

After the shootings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., residents and businesses in the Kansas City area began showering their police officers with affection and support. And those gestures only increased this week after Kansas City, Kan., Capt. Robert Melton was fatally shot Tuesday while responding to assist his fellow officers.

“You’re going through a difficult time, and this lifts the spirits of officers and staff,” Friesen said, adding that it’s important to remember that members of the community are hurting too.

The appreciation has come unexpectedly and in the forms of cards, cookies, glowing porch lights and even paid meals. And of course, lots of prayers.

Simple gestures for sure, but to Kansas City area police departments, the show of appreciation means a lot.

Take a handwritten message on an Overland Park police officer’s cup from a Starbucks.

“Thank you for all that you do,” the message read. “You matter.”

Kansas City, Kan., Police Chief Terry Zeigler was overcome with emotion Wednesday when he thanked the city for its care in the wake of Melton’s death.

“We have great community support of our police department,” he said.

People have been bringing homemade cookies, doughnuts and other treats to the stations. Some people pop in just to say “Thank you.”

“It’s good to know that the people we are here to protect and serve are behind us 100 percent,” said Officer Justin Seals, a spokesman for Overland Park police. “It’s good to see that. You know deep down that you’re appreciated. It means a lot more when people show that appreciation.”

While police officers see such support from time to time, they saw a spike after the fatal shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

A family with four children took handmade cards with glitter and a big container of chocolate chip cookies to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday for the deputies.

On Thursday, someone had wrapped blue ribbons around the trees around the central booking center in downtown Olathe. A man even stopped by and prayed with deputies this week.

“People feel like they want to do something,” said Darla Jaye, public information officer for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. “They want to show their appreciation.”

Jaye said she has spoken with other departments and they are seeing the same thing.

It stems partly from a comment Dallas Police Chief David Brown made after the shooting of the officers there: Police need to hear that they are appreciated for what they do for the country.

“The thank-yous and shaking of hands mean a lot to our men and women,” Jaye said. “It’s not something you hear on a regular occasion.”

The Peculiar police said on Twitter that its night shift had noticed that some residents have turned on blue porch lights in support.

In a Wednesday message on Twitter, Raytown Police Chief Jim Lynch thanked residents for their support.

“Our breakroom has been full of treats, flowers and cards for the last two weeks,” he wrote. “It’s an honor to serve the citizens and businesses of Raytown!”

Other agencies have been sharing the gestures of support on Twitter.

Earlier on the day that Melton was killed, two little boys and their mom dropped off a cookie tray for officers at Kansas City’s Central Patrol Division.

And last week someone stopped Kansas City’s Metro Patrol officers and gave them food from Chick-fil-A. With it was a note thanking the officers.

“Thank you for protecting us, even at your most vulnerability,” the note read in part. “Thank you for all you do, even if nobody appreciates you.”

Also last week, someone bought dinner for the Riverside Police Department’s crime scene investigation staff, according to a tweet from the department.

The person left a note on the back of the receipt.

“Because you are worthy of respect and you matter!” the note said. “Thank you!”

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Cookies and glitter: KC area shows support for its police officers."