Albany businesses show support for local law enforcement

ALBANY — As tensions rise around the country between law enforcement and the citizens they are sworn to protect, a few Albany area business owners are hoping to send message of support to local law enforcement officers as a new year begins.

Jeff Lanier, vice president of Brad Lanier Oil Co. in Albany, said that as he continued to watch media reports about incidents of unrest in places like Ferguson, Mo. and New York, he became increasingly frustrated about how members of law enforcement were being portrayed by what he calls “professional agitators.”

“It’s really sad and at times disgusting what’s happening nationwide,” said Lanier. “It’s just so unwarranted, unfair and unjustified how law enforcement is being portrayed. It was really starting to get underneath my saddle. I think they’re getting a bad rap.”

In an effort to change that negative perception, he made the decision a little over a week ago to use the different marquis at area Homerun Foods locations to let the men and women with the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office and the Dougherty County Police Department know he appreciates everything they do keep the community safe.

“When we’re opening presents, when we’re out to dinner, when we’re asleep, they’re out there working,” Lanier said. “Law enforcement is a central part of the fabric of our nation. They should be lauded. We should be applauding them.”

Much to his delight, Lanier’s simple message of “thank you” displayed around town has gotten the attention of other business owners who liked the message so much they are following suit and putting support messages up at their business locations as well.

Albany City Commissioner and local business woman B.J. Fletcher, who never shies away from issuing a challenge, said she was so inspired by the idea that not only is she planning on putting up “thank you” messages at BJ’s Country Buffet in the Village Green Shopping Center, she’s already begun challenging others to so the same.

“It’s such a great idea,” said Fletcher. “I think, wouldn’t it be a surprise to (law enforcement members) if …everybody has ‘thank you officers’ up on their marquis? What a great thing for the them to see; to know that they are supported and appreciated for everything they do for us.”

Fletcher said she passed the idea on to Stewbo’s Restaurant Group co-owner David Campbell earlier in the week and he, in turn, is more than happy to lend his support.

Campbell said he intends to have messages on the marquis at both Merry Acres Inn and Suites and Harvest Moon this week.

Campbell, whose grandfather was once a sheriff, said it was an easy decision for him to make based on how he feels about those who serve the community.

“I think we’re so blessed in this community to have such great law enforcement,” said Campbell. “They work hard to protect us. A lot of these guys work part time for us as security when we have functions and I’ve gotten to know a lot of them. They are all gentlemen, very, very polite and kind. We really are blessed.”

State Theater owner Lane Rosen, who was also contacted about the sign idea by Fletcher, took that sentiment one step further saying he doesn’t feel he would be in business without the help of law enforcement. Additionally, Rosen said he wonders if society would even function without them.

“There’s so many reasons to appreciate the police and what they do everyday,” Rosen said. “We have a standard of living because of what they do. They put their life on the line every single day for us. How many of us would do that? They protect us. I’m a big supporter. We’d be back in the stone age without them.”

In addition to putting “Blue Proud” on the marquis at the State Theater, Rosen supports Fletcher’s idea of challenging others in the community to show their support as well.

“I would love to see (signs of support) all over town,” said Rosen. “It’s a good, positive message for this community.”

As far as Lanier is concerned, this time of the year is an appropriate one for the community to show its support and he thinks it is a simple, yet effective, gesture that might have an impact on how members of law enforcement are viewed.

“Everybody puts up Happy New Year and Merry Christmas (during this time),” Lanier said. “We need to keep law enforcement in mind as well. If we can make just a couple of people stop and think about what these folks do for us, that would be great. They’ve got our backs and they need to know we’ve got theirs.”