Rally supports law enforcemnt
Dozens show up to SCV station to offer sandwiches and kind words
Despite the heat, about 30 Santa Clarita Valley residents turned out at the SCV Sheriff’s Station on Friday to show support for local law enforcement after recent shootings across the country that left officers dead.
“In lieu of what’s going on with the police, with Baton Rouge and with Dallas, I figured it’s time for positive news,” said Larry Reyes, who organized the SCV Back the Blue Rally. Reyes cited three officers killed in Baton Rouge and five who died in Dallas in recent weeks.
About 30 people were in
in front of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station about 4 p.m. waving flags and holding signs that said, “We love our SCV sheriffs.” The rally lasted from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with people coming and going throughout the day.
“I’m supporting my dad and all local law enforcement who protect us,” said Natalee Devine, whose father has worked in law enforcement for 11 years in the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley.
Her mother, Kristine, worked in the Sheriff’s Department for 14 years herself.
“It’s a nice feeling to know the community supports you,” she said.
Tanner DeFelicis, who stood with his father during the rally, said he has no family in law enforcement but he wanted to show local law enforcement that people still care about them.
“I’m here to support local law enforcement because of all the attacks,” he said.
Another demonstrator, Christine Korenthal, said she has family in law enforcement.
“It definitely scares me for them,” she said of the shootings. “We love them, we support them, we’re praying for them,” she added.
Sheriff’s deputies have been receiving goodies and recognition from the public all week, one official said, since Monday, when youngsters and their parents showed up at the station to chalk “Thank you” messages in front of the station.
Earlier Friday, a group from a local nonprofit surprised deputies with a free lunch.
Angel Wings Agency, a nonprofit organization that serves adults with disabilities, delivered enough sandwiches to feed 50 deputies.
Emily Owens, executive director of Angel Wings, said the organization wanted to show appreciation for law enforcement in the wake of violence reported in the media.
“Thank you so kindly for your generosity in serving your community despite of everything that’s going on,” she told the sheriff’s deputies. “We know that every time you put that uniform on there’s no guarantee you’re going to make it back home.”