Dear Minot:
I consider myself lucky to be born and raised in Minot. This is my home, and I’m beyond proud to say that.
There are often times that, as a community, we must face significant challenges. It is during those moments that I am often the most proud to be a resident of Minot.
Our Police Department has suffered through great tragedies in the past couple of years, with the loss of three officers to suicide. Each incident serves as a stark reminder that the work done every day by first responders is dangerous, physically challenging, and emotionally draining. These professions can often have a profoundly negative impact on the mental health of some first responders; unfortunately, Minot is not immune to this nation-wide issue.
A couple weeks ago, I issued a challenge to the residents of Minot. I asked them to display blue lights on their homes and on their businesses until the end of February in support of the men and women of the Minot Police Department.
When our officers turn down a neighborhood street, I want them to see blue lights. When they patrol our downtown business district, I want them to see blue lights. When they drive down our main streets and roadways, I want them to see blue lights. The purpose of the challenge was to let everyone in the Police Department that we support them.
As I expected, our community has responded. Our community has sent a loud and clear message to the men and women of the Minot Police Department: We have your back.
I’m out and about a lot, and I get the opportunity to drive through the quadrants of Minot on a fairly regular basis. What I’ve seen in the past few weeks is nothing short of amazing.
The number of homes and businesses that are proudly displaying blue lights in support of our PD is truly humbling. If you drive downtown after dark, there are blue lights on multiple buildings. When I drive around Minot, the blue lights are visible everywhere I go. I’ve been told that some stores in Minot have run out of blue light bulbs.
The response has been exactly what I expected from Minot. We have always been a community that supports its first responders, whether it’s law enforcement officers, firefighters, dispatchers, paramedics, or public works crews. The work they all do is simply different than what most of us do every day. It’s cliché, but it’s worth repeating because it’s true: First responders are the ones always heading toward an accident, a fire, or other emergency. They accept that responsibility as part of their job, and they live their lives accordingly. When duty calls, they respond, no matter the time of day or night.
My blue light request was simply a way for our residents to express their support for the members of the Minot Police Department. We probably all know someone who works at the PD, or we know someone who retired after a career in law enforcement. They’re our family members. They’re our neighbors. They’re our friends.
As mayor, I want to say thank you to everyone who has joined the blue light challenge. You have helped accomplish exactly what I had in mind: To let everyone at the Minot Police Department know that they are on our minds, and that we support them as they navigate through trying times.
February isn’t even a week old yet; there is still time to join the blue light challenge. If you haven’t done it yet, I challenge you to make your home or business one of the blue beacons of support for our men and women of law enforcement.
Minot is a wonderful community, full of thoughtful, respectful, and community minded residents. Don’t just take my word for it – take a moment to notice the blue lights when you’re driving around Minot. That’s all the proof you should need.
You can find more about what’s happening at the City of Minot at minotnd.org, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. We’d also encourage you to sign up for our monthly electronic newsletter on our website.