Paint The City Blue effort to thank our Rochester cops begins in earnest in August

ROCHESTER - It's time to get ready to "paint the city blue" for National Thank a Police Officer Day, which falls on the third Saturday in September.

The "Thank a Rochester Cop nonprofit" announced today that decorations are now available to the public in support of this event.

Community members, local businesses, and residents are encouraged to show their appreciation for the Rochester Police Department by putting up decorations, signs, or making thank you cards throughout the month of September. Suggestions include: replacing a porch light with a blue bulb, hanging a blue ribbon on a mailbox or a tree in the front yard, displaying a yard sign, stringing some blue lights on a porch railing or shrub, or anything else in the spirit of the event.

With September rapidly approaching, volunteers from the Thank a Rochester Cop organization will be at Rochester's National Night Out on Aug. 6 at the Spaulding High School "Triangle," also known as Torr's Park. Lights, bows, yard signs, and other decorations celebrating and showing gratitude for the police department will be available at no cost to the public. The generosity of local businesses makes these materials free for all, but donations are gratefully accepted.

In addition, the organization has established three "decoration stations," or pickup locations around the city. Supplies are currently available, and will remain available during the month of August. The public is invited to stop in during regular business hours to the following locations: Holy Rosary Credit Union (Brock Street), the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce (South Main Street), and Granite Steak & Grill (Route 11).

The Thank a Rochester Cop organization is a volunteer run committee, and has already begun planning this year's activities. National Thank a Police Officer Day falls on Sept. 21. Again this year, Profile Bank is generously underwriting all activities to recognize and honor the Rochester Police Department. For other major sponsors, and more information, please visit: www.thankarc.com or on Facebook, at: facebook.com/ThankARochesterCop.