As a police officer for 30+ years, I have seen great people do horrible things, horrible people do great things, and witnessed a country come together and divide on an ongoing basis. I have experienced first hand the ups and downs of a society that supports police and calls us heroes one day, to a society that protests police all around the country because of the actions of a few a day later. In my heart and soul, I still believe that 99% of police officers out there came into this profession to do the right thing, to protect good people from bad people, to help those in need, and to enforce the rules of society with honor, integrity and professionalism.
I had mixed emotions on starting BTB Police Gifts, as I have legitimate concerns for the safety of those police, police families, and the great citizens of this country that Back The Blue and want to stand on that Thin Blue Line with us! I am also a realist, and I know that police, police families and citizens who back the blue want to wear clothing, display flags, and buy gifts for those in this profession to show support for the great men and women in blue throughout this country. My concerns are for those in blue and those supporting the blue being targeted by those in our society who are not pro-police.
Some citizens have had a bad experience with an officer and will forever see blue as bad. Some citizens suffer from mental illness, anger, rage, hostility and live in a mindset based on their own radical ideology or tainted perceptions of reality. Some are simply anti-government, such as Sovereign Citizens who thrive on challenging laws and the rights of police and government any chance they get.
Knowing these people are out there, ANYONE who displays Thin Blue Line products or apparel, is at risk of becoming a target from those who dislike police. So the question is, how do those who wear blue, and those who support the blue do so without putting yourself at risk?
The answer to that question is to engage in some fundamental strategies to minimize risk, and reduce your risk of becoming a victim of those who dislike police. For the police and police families out there, I have never put any markings/sticker/decals on my personal vehicles that would indicate I am on the job. I do not have my badge number or PD abbreviations customized into my license plate, and leave nothing in plain view inside my vehicle that would indicate I am a police officer. It is not out of shame or a lack of support for this profession that I refuse to display. My reason is because a motor vehicle literally goes everywhere daily (grocery store, doctors appt, restaurants, parked on a busy street) and sits unprotected, unguarded in public parking lots all over this country where sometimes hundreds of unknown people are driving by or walking by your vehicle.
We live in a society where motor vehicle theft and burglaries have turned into an epidemic. The criminals who break into vehicles on a regular basis will absolutely target vehicles that are marked with Thin Blue Line / Police supportive paraphernalia, in hopes of finding a handgun, ballistic vests, dirty uniform on the way to the cleaners, etc. Often this will involve smashing your window to gain access, costing you time, money and aggravation even if nothing is stolen. The same goes for citizens who display a Thin Blue Line Flag decal on your rear window. Yes, police love the support throughout the country, but criminals may mistake your car for an officer's personal vehicle and break in hoping to find a gun or other police items.
As such, in my store, I will NEVER sell Thin Blue Line Flag stickers or decals for your car.
I apply the same fundamentals to my home. It is your personal decision what you wish to display for your home, as your home is stationary, less in view by high numbers of strangers, and depending on the location you reside in, you may feel more comfortable displaying some police related items. I live in a small residential neighborhood, I have great neighbors, and most know what I do for a living. On occasion, I hang a Thin Blue Line Garden flag seasonally. This is temporary, and not an ongoing trend for me. I sell Thin Blue Line Halloween Flags in Sep/Oct, and I incorporate some into my outdoor decor. Any yes, I am fully furnished with RING cameras front and back for my own protection. I sometimes work midnights or double shifts, and leave my wife and children home alone and always have concerns for their safety and pray that my profession never makes them a victim. As such, I minimize my risk of targeting myself for a home burglary.
Another item I will NEVER promote in my store is a Thin Blue Line Flag Front Door Mat. With Amazon deliveries, takeout deliveries from a restaurant, etc, having a front door mat where any stranger going to your home will see 365 days a year is a risky strategy. I also personally find it in poor taste to stand on and wipe dirty feet on a flag that has so much meaning for those men and women that stand on that Thin Blue Line every day in their profession.
Which brings us to the question, why am I selling Thin Blue Line / Back The Blue items in the first place?
1. There is a place and time to wear and display pro-police products safely. If you want to wear clothing, a hat, use a custom mug or tumbler, have a Thin Blue Line cell phone case, for those in the police profession, we love wearing them around our house, for work events, 5k road race, National Police Week in Washington, DC, wearing to and from work. For other items, we absolutely will use a customized tumbler at work for our daily coffee or ice water, such as my customized Police K9 Tumbler where I infuse an image of your actual dog onto the flag. This is a great item inside any Police K9 Handler's vehicle for their next shift.
For citizens who wish to wear clothing or items to support police, my advise is to think of the potential areas you plan to go in public and display or choose to NOT display your pro-police message based on your intended location. I wouldn't go to a bar and wave it in the face of unknown, intoxicated patrons. I would probably be fine going to an elementary school event for my child, or running some errands around the town I reside in. I wouldn't wear something to a Six Flag Theme Park or a Carnival where people come from all over to attend, as you are increasing your risk of confrontations with some unsavory guests.
2. Many of my gifts and products are designed for work or home only, such as a Framed Canvas for your home, a throw blanket, mugs for morning coffee, or a Thin Blue Line Themed mousepad. These make great gifts for birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas and I offer tons of personalized products to give police as gifts. I created some amazing personalized Christmas ornaments last year, which were extremely popular and fully safe for display in your own home!
3. I know that no matter what I say, some police and citizens are strong willed, will stand for what they stand for and will not be phased by those they offend. For those who stand up for what they believe in without concern, those of us in Law Enforcement truly Thank You for all your support!
Those who wish to support police, or those police and police families that are looking for great items designed by police for police, start browsing my store today for your perfect item!
Stay safe!
Mike P, Owner of BTB Police Gifts