JOHNSTOWN - American Eagle Screen Print and Embroidery donated 500 bracelets to the Johnstown Police Department on Monday in hopes of making a better community.
Officers were provided with the bracelets to put in their police cruisers and hand out to children, teens and adults within the city.
“It takes that barrier down of what a police car does, along with the badge,” said Johnstown police Sgt. Joe Eckenrod.
The message on the bracelet: Give, Love and Respect.
“It’s a great way of community policing where you’re able to get out and talk to people. We become more approachable, people want to come up to us, talk to us. They’re not afraid,” said Eckenrod.
American Eagle Screen Print and Embroidery said they hope the bracelets will create a positive relationship between police and community members.
“The intention is to put them in the cars and that kids can wave them down and get a wrist band. It’s to promote community togetherness, create bonds and make a better community,” said assistant owner Jody Altemus of American Eagle Screen Print and Embroidery.
Altemus said she came up with the idea from Facebook.
“It feels good to be able to do something to help the community, the kids,” said Altemus.
“We’re persons just like them and they can talk to us anytime they want to,” said Eckenrod.
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