Plainfield Residents Draw Chalk Messages At Police's Suggestion

PLAINFIELD, IL — This morning, the Plainfield Police urged parents via Facebook to give their children a 'Sidewalk Chalk Challenge' - that is, to have them draw encouraging messages on the sidewalk in colored chalk. They offered a bottle of hand sanitizer shaped like a police officer to the first ten people to respond with photos of their chalked walks in the Facebook comment section.

"Parents, if you have children who need a "homework assignment", please consider having them participate in our Sidewalk Chalk Challenge," the Facebook message read. "The first ten images uploaded from Plainfield residents within our comment section will receive one of our Police Officer hand sanitizer bottles."

Within the span of about two hours, more than forty people had already responded with photos of the colorful drawings they and their children made. Some were simple doodles, others showed an advanced grasp of drawing techniques. Some thanked nurses and other medical professionals for the work they were doing amid the coronavirus crisis, but many seemed just for fun. On the Facebook post advertising the activity, police said the ultimate goal was to build the community's morale and collective mental health, especially for medical professionals and first responders.

"Positive messages renew hope!" The Facebook message said. Apparently, many village residents agree.

"I love this idea!!! As a mailman that walks my route, I love seeing all the decorated sidewalks!" one user responded.

"So cute!!" another exclaimed.

Patch reached out to the Police Department for their thoughts on the responses, but did not immediately receive a response.

Do you have a chalked sidewalk you'd like to share? Post your or your children's artwork on the Plainfield Neighbor Post page.