Shine blue lights to honor men and women in blue

By LIZ GOTTHELF Staff Writer, Journal Tribune

SACO — An effort to honor local police has the city lit up in blue.

Through Project Blue Light, an effort through Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, blue light bulbs are being distributed.

The local effort is one of many across the nation honoring police officers by illuminating blue lights.

According to the nonprofit Fallen Officers Remembered website, the color blue is symbolic of peace.

“By displaying your blue light(s) you send a message that you support America’s Peacekeepers, your light is guiding them to safety, and you hope the year will be peaceful,” reads the website’s Project Blue Light page.

State Rep. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement founder, organized the effort with Saco resident Michelle Goulet, beginning January in the Hillview Heights neighborhood, where a shooting that injured two people took place in December. Since then it’s spread to homes throughout the city as well as municipal buildings.

Project Blue Light has distributed more than 150 blue bulbs, said Chenette.

---

At Saco City Hall, staff have placed blue lights on their desks, and City Hall has taken it to another level by illuminating the clock tower with blue light.

“That was really neat to see,” said Chenette. “I’m really in awe of how people have taken hold of this.”

Bulbs are free, though there is a suggested donation of $1 to cover the cost.

A distribution day will be held at the center’s office at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce and Industry Welcome Center, 28 Water St., Biddeford on April 19 from 2-4 p.m. Those interested can also pick up a bulb at the office during chamber business hours, said Chenette.

“We would like everybody to recognize the importance of our law enforcement. ... our local police officers do such a good job for us and they lay their lives on the line,” said Chenette.

For more information on Project Blue Light, go to www.sacobaycenter.org.