By Richard J. Bayne
The Times Herald-Record
WARWICK, N.Y. — In October, the village painted a blue line down Railroad Avenue to honor law enforcement. A week ago, it changed the line to red, white and blue, attempting to compromise with critics who said the blue line ignored concerns expressed by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Now the line is going back to all-blue, the village said.
Mayor Michael Newhard said Tuesday the village is going to reinstate a blue line, bowing to concerns raised by local law enforcement advocates. He said the village also plans to add a plaque explaining the history of blue lines worldwide, how they symbolize the line between chaos and order. Warwick’s line runs about 100 yards, between Oakland Avenue and South Street.
“We reached a compromise,” said Newhard, explaining that the decision to reinstate the blue line grew out of a series of meetings involving vocal advocates for the blue line; less-strident representatives, whom he called the “Thin Blue Line Group"; and community members who said the village ignored concerns expressed by supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement.
He said he conducted 12 hours of meetings Thursday alone. That was followed by a workshop meeting Monday. Finally, he said, opponents were convinced how strongly law enforcement families feel about the line, that it’s a “badge of honor” for them.
In a statement Tuesday, Newhard said, “The ability of the Thin Blue Line Group and the citizens who questioned its intent to come together has shown us all that something greater can come when a community listens and is open for an exchange of ideas.”
Jordan Novak, a Warwick resident who was a vocal opponent of the line, said the discussion helped her understand that installing the line and then taking it away was hard for police families. She said some local groups are planning a gathering Dec. 21 on Railroad Avenue, devoted to unity and healing.
Newhard said the line will be repainted as soon as weather permits, and it’ll be placed between two yellow lines. He said Police Benevolent Association members have offered to pay for it.