Blue Lights Support Our Police

A scheduled trip through Northeast Philadelphia's residential area last week brought to our attention the numerous fluorescent blue lights that homeowners have placed at their doors and on their lampposts. Some windows even sported candelabras with three blue lights on them.

This was a curious find.

After doing some research, we found out that the blue lights are in support of the police. The interesting things is that this tradition is not new, it was actually started 20 years ago.

According to an article on the Pittsburgh’s KDKA website, "Project Blue Light" was the brainchild of Dolly Craig. In 1986, her son-in-law, a Philadelphia police officer, was killed while investigating a vandalism case. Within hours of Saturday's shootings, word spread through local radio and the internet. Stores quickly reported sellouts of blue lights and candelabras.”

“Originally this was started as a fundraiser for Officer John Pawlowski’s pregnant wife, but now it’s in solidarity with all police.” Angela Logue, a Holmesburg resident said.

The blue lights are fairly unassuming, so there isn’t too much of a distraction, and they do send out a positive message. Most hardware stores sell the blue bulbs and now they even have those light bulbs that will conserve energy.

Maria Konidaris and Jennifer Reardon, Group 20, NeastPhilly