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We’re in this together: Messages to inspire Chicago Police Officers
Absolutely Positive
Chicago Police Officers keep up the good work and, in the process, keep up the city’s spirit while enduring the pandemic challenges
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Protective masks couldn’t hide the smiles and expressions of joy radiat- ing from doctors and nurses at the Rush University Medical Center emer- gency room, not to mention the offi- cers from 009 and 012 when they de- livered 35 trays of food on March 27.
Similar positive mental attitude em-
anated from Tanya Collins, the CAPS
seniors liaison officer in 015, when
she led the staging of care packages
filled with eggs, milk, soup, beans, rice
and other canned goods to deliver to
seniors in the Austin neighborhood.
And Officer Joshua Shelton, the faith-
based liaison in 007 CAPS, has been
defining keeping the faith with “7-at-7,” seven-minute prayer groups he has been streaming at 7 p.m. up to three times per week.
Proof positive that Chicago Police Officers are leading the city’s response to support the stay-at-home order and have in- spired a feeling of no fear in the pandemic climate. They are filled with the power of positive thinking that citizens
don’t know the full extent of but certainly feel the ef- fects in full force.
“We took the oath. We know what our job require- ments are. We are the essential workers,” Officer Wil- liam Martinez confirmed as he manned the 15th District CAPS office late in the afternoon of Saturday, March 28. “We’re the ones who have to stay strong and work with the other first responders, the OEMC, the food pantry workers and all the volunteers to bring everyone together for the community.”
A Chicago Police Officer’s approach to the world that is adaptable, resilient and oriented toward protecting others is leading the city through the COVID-19 bat- tle. They wouldn’t be doing this job if they didn’t have these skills, and the we’re-in-this-together mentality will lead the city safely to the other side.
In-this-together is driving responses throughout districts, like in 011 when the Humboldt Park Food Pantry had to close. Officers in the Harrison District stepped up to deliver more than 100 bags of food to local seniors.
And because of such resiliency, the community is reciprocating. Officers in 008 were so empowered when the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce de- livered more than 1,000 surgical masks to them. As were officers in 022 when the St. Christina School provided them with a delivery of sanitizing supplies.
Districts are also developing unique ways to make their presence felt, which has been bolstered by academy recruits being deployed throughout the city to make calls to check on seniors. In the 7th District, CAPS officers are stop-
15th District CAPS Officer Tanya Collins (photo, below) looks over care packag- es her district delivered to seniors, part of Chicago Police Officers’ response
to the stay-at-home order. The effort including delivering food and supplies to doctors and nurses at the Rush Medical Center emergency room and local churches.
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