‘Cape Cod Cares for Our Cops’ Rally Supports Local Law Enforcement

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A crowd bows heads at the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School parking log Saturday in support of local law enforcement

YARMOUTH – A tangible, breathing breadth of blue formed a line Saturday at the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School parking lot.

Mirroring the line of officers were many dozens of citizens and retired servicemen and women who were there to shake their hands and rally in support of law enforcement at the second Cape Cod Cares for Our Cops rally of the year.

The officers were thanked by a handful of speakers during the rally, including organizer Rick Gleason, Barnstable County Sheriff Jim Cummings, and State Representatives Brian Mannal and Tim Whelan; all of whom took to a truck bed stage which had a giant American flag hanging above it.

A similar event occurred on what Gleason described as a bitterly cold day last January. He said hundreds showed up that day to show their support for law enforcement.

Though a smaller crowd showed up Saturday, Gleason said every sign of appreciation helps.

After an opening prayer and a rendition of the national anthem from “The Singing Trooper,” Sgt. Dan Clark, a helicopter from state police in Bourne did a flyover, and the event was underway.

Yarmouth Police Chief Fred Frederickson said the roughly 500 police offers on Cape Cod handle over 250,000 calls for service each year.

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Members of the Yarmouth Police force salute the flag during the second Cape Cod Cares for Our Cops rally Saturday

“To think of some of the negativity that has been presented and put a dim light on what our profession is, that does not represent us,” Frederickson said.

State Representative Brian Mannal spoke about the constructive work he said he observed local police officers conduct over the summer, when numerous homeless individuals and people with drug addictions were camping in the woods in Hyannis.

Mannal said he did not see any cops kicking people out and treating them as second-class citizens; rather, he said he saw members of the community seeking to help the disadvantaged.

Sheriff Cummings echoed the sentiment. He said he hopes citizens know that “the first video you see on the news isn’t always the whole video.”

A tender moment was shared on stage between a son and his father. Thirteen-year-old Alex Britt, whose father Gerry is a Sargent with Yarmouth Police, said although he constantly worries for his father’s well-being, he hopes to continue the family career path.

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Rick Gleason holds up a symbolic “thin blue line” sign Saturday during the 2nd Cape Cod Cares for Our Cops rally, which he organized

“It’s definitely scary knowing that he goes out there every day putting on that uniform, but one thing that makes me feel better is knowing that he loves what he does,” younger Britt said.

Before capping off the rally, Gleason held up a rectangular sign which featured two black bands with one thinner blue band between them.

He said the sign represents the “good guys” (top black band) and the “bad guys” (bottom black band). Of course, he said, the thinner blue line in between represents law enforcement, who number less than both the good and bad in society.

“There are a lot more good guys and a lot more bad guys than there are blue guys,” Gleason said.

After, Gleason asked all law enforcement present to line up in front of the stage to “widen the line” and give the crowd a chance to personally thank them.

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Gail McCarthy shakes hands with a “thin blue line” of police officers Saturday, November 7th at the second Cape Cod Cares for Our Cops rally of the year

Gail McCarthy, who said her husband served in law enforcement, was the first in line. She said the day was particularly memorable.

“And how couldn’t it be?” she asked, “We’ve got these guys to protect us.”