Dozens of residents of the Reunion community off Friendship Road jumped in their golf carts Tuesday night and took a short trip to the south precinct of the Hall County Sheriff's Office to show some appreciation to local law enforcement.
The golf cart parade was just the latest effort by Reunion neighbors to let deputies know that they are loved despite some of the national headlines that have painted law enforcement in a critical light.
"A lot of officers are being cast in a bad light because of the actions of a very small number of officers and the people that are casting them in that light are making a lot more noise," said Reunion resident Jim Harris, one of the organizers of Tuesday's parade. "But [the general public] by and large knows that the overwhelming majority of police officers are awesome individuals. We just want to remind them [officers] that there are a lot of people out here that support them."
Harris said he and his wife have prepared meals or handed out gift cards to officers as a thanks from their family, but then he and a couple of neighbors started talking about a more widespread effort.
"People couldn't jump in fast enough," Harris said.
Another organizer, Troy McNeeley, decided to buy a roll of flags with a blue line - to represent law enforcement - to decorate the golf carts and cars that participated in the parade. Once the vehicles were decked out, they made their way to the precinct.
Harris said residents of other neighborhoods joined in along the way and a number of people gathered in the precinct parking lot to show their appreciation.
The officers received hand-made posters and gift cards, too. They've also been invited recently to the Reunion club house for a meal provided by neighborhood residents.
Harris said he and his Reunion neighbors hope other neighborhoods will take similar action to show officers who serve the area that they are appreciated.
