photo by: Mike Yoder

A blue ribbon circles a tree in the 2000 block of Ohio Street Friday, July 22, 2016, after one resident in the community asked her neighbors if she could put up ribbons as a show of support for law enforcement.

Bows of glittering blue are decorating a several-block stretch of Ohio Street.

Caryn Scott, who has lived in the 2100 block of Ohio Street for about 35 years, has made her way up and down the street over the past few days seeking approval from neighbors to tie a blue bow around their trees to show support for law enforcement.

“It’s to say thank you to the Lawrence Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office,” she said. “It’s time they know we care about them. And it’s not just about the local law enforcement; it’s about all the guys and gals that wear the uniform.”

So far, 16 homes have agreed to let Scott decorate their trees, she said. And as much as she’d like to decorate all the homes between Louisiana and Massachusetts streets, Scott said she’s done about as much as she can for the time being.

“As much as the heat and time have allowed,” she said with a laugh.

Scott said she has a daughter who is a sergeant with the Lawrence Police Department and a grandson-in-law who is an officer in Eudora.

Alongside the family members near and dear to her heart, Scott said, recent shootings across the U.S. have made supporting police all the more important.

“There were the last two weeks of officers losing their lives, but they’re out there all year long,” she said. “Every day when they get up they never know if this will be the day.”