With thin blue line flags and signs reading America Backs the Blue, dozens of people gathered at Shurtleff Park in Carver to show support for state and local police.
Carver resident Donna Forand organized the event. As the daughter of a police officer and a family member entering the police academy, she wanted to show support.
“There’s a lot of people here and we want to thank each and every officer in law enforcement, corrections, National Guard, the military, Homeland Security, our State Troopers,” said Forand. “We back the blue in the United States of America.”
People lined the street across from the police station with flags and signs. A few speakers addressed the crowd from a flatbed trailer at the park.
State Rep. Susan Gifford – who represents Carver, Middleboro, and Wareham – says she has full faith in the small-town police departments in her district.
“They do so much for the community, people wanted to show that we support everything they do. Their jobs are difficult now, more than ever,” said Gifford. “It’s more important than ever to make sure that they know that we appreciate everything they do for us.”
School Committee Chair Andy Cardarelli says they have a great relationship with the police department in town.
“They want to build great relationships with the kids, and have a positive relationship as they grow up, to show them they can trust the police and they’re not the bad guys, they can go to them if they have a problem.”
Adam Holmes, the President of the youth baseball league said the police union donates equipment each season.
“I grew up with a number of them, I went to high school with them. They’re friends, they’re neighbors, they’re members of the community,” said Holmes. “They demonstrate that every day both in their jobs and in their personal lives. Carver Night Out is a perfect example of that – it’s an amazing event that draws hundreds of people every single year. It’s just a fantastic experience.”
Police Chief Mark Duphily was invited to speak, and thanked supporters for their kind words. He feels the department has worked hard to support and improve the community.
“It’s a godsend for my officers and myself. COVID and all the stuff that’s going on with that, it impacts everyone,” said Duphily. “Our officers have been coming into work every single day during that, during the rest of the stuff that is going on, that takes a toll on everybody, on any human being. It’s good to see this.”
Adam Holmes, the President of the town’s youth baseball league, addresses the crowd. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
The Back the Blue rally was held at Shurtleff Park in Carver. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Marissa Halunen of Ware held a ‘Support our Police’ sign. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
Dozens of people lined Main Street in Carver for a Back the Blue rally. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
