ROCKLAND — As the negative national rhetoric against police officers is now resulting in unprovoked attacks on police across the country, two local businesses are taking steps to support the police and show their appreciation to every police officer in Knox County.

Dave Neilson, a State Farm Agent in Rockland, says he and his team discussed what they could do together to show support for the local police, and came up with an idea to provide a gift certificate to every officer in Knox County. That’s when approached Charlie Page at Maritime Energy. Neilson said, “I asked Charlie if they would provide the certificates to us and asked if maybe they’d want to participate in our effort”. Maritime Energy responded enthusiastically as many of their employees share the concern of how police are being targeted and portrayed negatively, when the majority of Americans don’t share those negative feelings.

Neilson says that the national rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible. “Police are the only thing that stands between us and chaos. They put their lives on the line every day for us, and too often we expect them to be perfect. They aren’t. They’re human just like everyone else. This violent rhetoric about killing cops and these random attacks just has to stop. Without the police, we’d all suffer the consequences, especially those in urban areas where violent crime would skyrocket without police protection.”

For Maritime Energy, it is a matter of doing what’s right. Charlie Page, Maritime’s Assistant Vice President, puts it this way; “There’s a few bad apples in any group, but the vast majority of police officers are great people and put their lives on the line every day protecting our way of life. Each call they get could be their last, but they proceed anyway.”

Page goes on to say, “We are here today to show our local police that a lot of people do respect what they do and are glad they are there when needed.” Page was recently impacted by the death of Corey Dodge, a local police officer and personal friend who was killed by an IED while helping with law enforcement in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Dave Neilson/State Farm Agency and Maritime Energy efforts will result in every police officer in Knox County receiving a $30 gift certificate to any of Maritime’s store locations. “We want these officers to enjoy a breakfast, a tank of gas, or have a beer on us, to show our thanks and appreciation”, says Neilson. Due to city regulations, the Rockland Police Department has decided to use the certificates to help community members as the need arises. Neilson says he will also be handing out 50 small window decals that express support for local police to any business in Knox County that agrees to display it at their place of business or on their vehicle. He will mail them to any business who requests one by simply calling his office in Rockland.