'Safe Harbor Initiative' Offers Support to Police

Credit: Anthony Welichko/Facebook

If you’ve seen any of your neighbors spray painting a blue stripe on their curbs and are curious as to what they’re doing, your search for answers is now over.

Texas resident Anthony Welichko began the ’Safe Harbor Initiative’ last week as an attempt to let police know that they are welcome around his property. After Welichko posted a picture of the stripe on Facebook, the initiative went viral and has seen hundreds of homeowners spray painting thin blue stripes on their curbs to show their support of the nation’s police force.

“Know that when you enter the neighborhood and see these lines that you are not alone or without ‘back-up’,” Welichko said in his Facebook post which set off the initiative.

Although law enforcement is appreciative of the gesture, officers urge residents to stay out of the way when police are in action in their neighborhoods. Acting as ‘back-up’ could cause unintended consequences for officers, residents, and bystanders, Snopes reports.

Furthermore, some city governments may actually use a thin blue stripe to signify something entirely different, leading to confusion for city crews. In Bozeman, MT, Snopes reports, a thin blue stripe allows water operators to know grade adjustments have taken place.

Have you spray painted your curb as part of the ‘Safe Harbor Initiative?’ Let us know in the comments!