A ‘garden’ of blue pinwheels planted at Lawrence police headquarters in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

A child places a pinwheel in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at the Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

A sea of blue was on display at Lawrence Police Department headquarters on Tuesday, but it wasn’t just officers in uniform; it was a “garden” of pinwheels planted at a ceremony in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The pinwheels were placed as a visual reminder of the scope of child abuse in the community. In a post on social media the department noted that after forming a Special Victims Unit in 2022, the department has encountered at least 434 victims of crime under the age of 18 with at least 255 of those being involved in child abuse or sexual abuse.

The event was co-hosted by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Douglas County. April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, an initiative led by Prevent Child Abuse America and its state chapters. This year the theme is “Building A Hopeful Future, Together,” with a focus on creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children and families.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Attendees place pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez, center, attends a ceremony in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at the Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

A man places a pinwheel in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month on April 2, 2024, at Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart greets a child at a ceremony recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Sgt. Jamie Lawson speaks at a ceremony recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

photo by: Lawrence Police Department

Lawrence Mayor Bart Littlejohn places a pinwheel in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month on April 2, 2024, at Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive.

COMMENTS

Welcome to the new LJWorld.com. Our old commenting system has been replaced with Facebook Comments. There is no longer a separate username and password login step. If you are already signed into Facebook within your browser, you will be able to comment. If you do not have a Facebook account and do not wish to create one, you will not be able to comment on stories.