Is The Thin Blue Line Coming To Gloucester Township?

Gloucester Township, NJ -- Thin blue lines are popping up in front of police stations In municipalities across South Jersey.

The Thin Blue Line has come to represent the symbol of the police officer’s role in separating the good from the bad.

The blue line represents law enforcement, the top line represents the community and the bottom line represents criminals. The idea is that law enforcement stands between the community and the criminals.

It also represents the solidarity between the local police department and the municipality, and within the profession, particularly in the event of an officer’s death.

It has appeared in front of police stations in Ocean City and Oaklyn, among others.

On Monday night, Ray Polidoro suggested bringing the trend to Gloucester Township.

“I would like to see this council move on and pass whatever you need to to paint that blue line on Chews Landing Road,” Polidoro said.

He said he would like people coming in from other towns to see the line so that they know where the police department is.

Although council didn’t appear to know about the line, it seemed on board with the suggestion.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Council President Orlando Mercado said. “We’ll speak to the administration and Chief Earle.”

He said the township would have to coordinate the project with the Department of Public Works, but he didn’t foresee any issues.

In general, municipalities handle the painting of the line themselves, according to nj.com.

For the most part, the line is legal and non-controversial. However, there was one councilman in Closter, Bergen County, who said the municipality shouldn’t do it at this time because he sees it as choosing sides between those who support “Black Lives Matter” and those who support “Blue Lives Matter,” according to northjersey.com.

Gloucester Township Police have a close relationship with the township’s residents. The township is consistently ranked among the highest in the nation for its “National Night Out” events.

“Coffee With a Cop” is a regular event in Gloucester Township, and Gloucester Township Police took it a step further with “Chill With a Cop” at the end of this past summer.

Just before the 9/11 anniversary, Polidoro and GT United helped organize a “Rally To Support Those Who Protect and Serve.”

The attached image of the Thin Blue Line outside the Ocean City Police Department was previously provided to Patch by Ocean City Police.