Given the ushering in of waiting out a pandemic, we’ve seen some pretty innovative ways for community policing to still thrive among a populace under orders to be far less communal. Cops are a resourceful bunch and will determinedly find ways to “protect and serve” despite the silent threat of an airborne virus.
Not many weeks ago, when social distancing culminated in school closings, that meant every student with a birthday was not necessarily going to have a traditional party day at school; sharing cupcakes with classmates and teachers is out of the question. We can imagine the disconnect these youngsters are navigating—the uncertainty of it all is indeed perplexing and disheartening.
Have no fear: Cops have an operational plan to make matters more tolerable by catering the party while adhering to social distancing protocols.
Nationwide, police personnel started a practice of doing drive-by birthday parties for youngsters in their respective jurisdiction. “Caravans” is the word most often cited on social media channels portraying various such birthday celebrations held, well…in the streets.
Cop shops have been coordinating a line of police cruisers and go mobile with rock-the-house (ahem, the block) yelping and wailing sirens accompanied by a red/white/blue lightshow for which kids clamor. That’s all dandy, but what’s a birthday party without gifts?
Deep down, we all know law enforcement officers never come empty-handed. Training for survival automatically encompasses having everything you need when you need it—in some cases, balloons.
With this newfound ritual of cop caravans parading around to various community kids’ birthdays, police officers collect funds amongst themselves and deliver presents. I call it mellowed command presence with presents…resulting in a ton of smiles and well-wishes for kids and teens home from school.
A Campbell police officer explains the birth of drive-by birthdays: “Birthday drive-by started when the shelter-in-place came through the Health Department [and other government entities’ policies] as a creative way in order to engage our youngest members of our community to give them a special moment on their birthday since they’re not technically allowed to have parties and people come over. We thought it was a great way to engage our young members of our community and still make them feel special on their day.”
How does such a mobile birthday come to fruition? Simply call a law enforcement agency’s public relations designee or spokesperson or sheriff or police chief’s office to submit a drive-by birthday request (with pertinent details regarding child’s gender and birthday age). Cops commit and ensure revelry…with a respectable distance. Sometimes it results in a mixed bag of different law enforcement agencies doing the drive-by birthday…possibly complemented by a fire engine. Young hearts (and more mature ones) are sure to feel fulfilled from such an experience.
Delving further into the realm of public service, sheriff’s deputies in Lee County, Florida rolled out a special day for a special friend in their community. Levi, a 31-year-old who was born with spina bifida, had a caravan of cop cars visit him at his home, and they loaded his lap with cool police stuff.
As Lee County sheriff’s Sergeant Nathan Hankins said, “Despite his condition [Levi] still aspires to be an officer one day.” Now that’s a hero’s hero!
Seems so appropriate that these law enforcers should learn of a young man’s support for them…then return the heartfelt praises along with some goodies! Not only did this special man garner the attention of Lee County deputies but it also merited airing on Levi’s favorite TV show, “COPS.” Levi scored a sheriff’s SWAT shirt, a challenge coin, several baseball-style police canine cards, and a new group of friends who all happen to be cops…all broadcast on “COPS.”
A rather poignant conclusion to our pleasant police story today entails a 40-year-long tradition whereby Adele Ambrose annually cooked Thanksgiving dinner for law enforcement working the beat on turkey day. Forty years straight equals 40 wishbones (at least). Although unsure of her birthday wish as she celebrated her 91st recently, community cops she annually stuffed with Thanksgiving fixings paid her a special birthday visit. Riverhead, New York police personnel did a drive-by for Ms. Ambrose…and she was heartwarmingly touched by the grand gesture.
Comforted by quilts on her lap and donning a glistening tiara while she sat in her favorite recliner by her front window, police cruisers caravanned down her street so she could see/hear the celebratory cops thanking her for four decades of yummy turkeys cooked with love on a special day when law enforcement officials work the beat so others can partake in traditional bread-breaking.
The backstory is that many bygone years ago, Adele’s father did mechanical maintenance on New York State troopers’ police cruisers. While fine-tuning cop cars, Adele’s dad had law enforcement officers go inside his household so they can grab a plate to eat while waiting for their mobile office to be fixed. Not only did that routine provide an indelible lesson for Adele, it kicked off a tradition: Adele made it her business to provide a turkey dinner every single Thanksgiving for a consecutive forty years.
As Adele’s siblings told the media, “My dad said if you do for others they will do for you.” Sounds like dad was a wise man with much-needed mechanical skills and excellent parental advice. It also sounds like his daughter Adele paid special attention. And the police ranks provided evidence to support Adele and her dad’s selfless philosophy.
With her birthday drive-by, tears of joy emitted from Miss Adele. And I suspect a certain cluster of caravanning cops needed a hanky or two.
In their own special ways for some special folks, people like Miss Adele and police officers everywhere know the goodness derived from serving others.