A new wave of anti-police sentiment that swept the Chicago area in recent weeks has prompted some in Norridge to show support for police officers by tying blue ribbons on hundreds of trees as part of a campaign supporters hope will catch on in other communities.
Volunteers running the project have so far tied ribbons to more than 300 trees along public rights of way, while village officials are handing out colored outdoor light bulbs to residents who want to light up their porches in blue.
The campaign, known as “Back the Blue,” started with Norridge resident Frank Avino, a police commissioner for the Norridge Police Department whose sister is a Chicago cop. Avino said he started challenging his Facebook friends to display blue ribbons in their yards after he noticed a high school friend who lives in a small Florida town was doing the same thing.
Tensions have been high since a video was released Aug. 5 detailing the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Paul O’Neal by Chicago police. Police have said O’Neal was being pursued as he fled from officers in a vehicle police said was reported stolen. The incident has sparked protests, and there have been reports of threats of violence against police.
“We’re fortunate to not have the same troubles as other cities, but I think it’s important for everyone to show support of the law and for those who enforce it,” he said. “It’s not a shot at any group who feels unjustly targeted by police, but we can’t just sit here in this day and age and watch these things happen without letting those who are in charge know we support them.”
When Avino approached the village with his plans to display the ribbons in public areas, village officials embraced the idea and decided to contribute to the campaign by purchasing 1,000 blue light bulbs, Trustee Don Gelsomino said. About 700 blue lights have been handed out since the campaign began during the second week of August, Gelsomino said, adding that the village plans to stock up on more to meet the demand.
A few days after nailing a sign into his yard on the 4500 block of North Osage Avenue that says “Police Lives Matter,” Norridge resident Mike Caravia said he’s fed up with watching police in general take the brunt of the actions of a few officers.
“There’s no respect out there from the younger generation, where it seems like everyone thinks the police are bad all of a sudden,” Caravia said. “There are hundreds of arrests that go well, but you never hear about those.”
The community’s support of the campaign has driven Avino’s mother to grab a pair of scissors and work diligently to cut up plastic blue tablecloths used to make ribbons.
“We go to the dollar store and find tablecloths that we cut up into big sections,” he said. “If someone calls us and says they want one put up on their tree, then we go out and do it.”
Avino said he’s been paying the cost for the ribbons, and the village bought the light bulbs. Residents can pick up a light bulb at village hall, 4000 N. Olcott Ave., during business hours.
Caravia said he doesn’t have a tree in his front yard, so he decided to weave his ribbon along his porch railing.
“People seem happy about the campaign. I haven’t heard anything negative about it,” he said. “The point is to show that every life matters, whether you’re black, white, green, blue or yellow.”
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Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.