Blue ribbons are available around Hermiston for residents who want to show their appreciation to law enforcement.

The ribbons are part of an annual tradition celebrating National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week May 10-16. But Hermiston Police Department chaplain Terry Cummings said some people choose to display the ribbons for more than just the designated week.

“It’s just a way to say thank you,” Cummings said.

The ribbons are provided for free by Concerns of Police Survivors, or COPS, an organization for the family members of officers killed in the line of duty. They started as something to tie around a car antenna, but since many newer cars don’t have an antenna to tie around Cummings said people have taken to tying them around a mirror, closing them in a back window or finding somewhere else to display them.

He said the gesture brightens the day of police officers and sheriff’s deputies who are often met with hostility in the course of their jobs.

“It’s amazing how much a little thing like this means to these officers,” he said.

The ribbons can be picked up at the Hermiston police station, city hall, Banner Bank, Hermiston Drug, Ace Hardware and Washington Mutual. Cummings said a variety of local churches will also be handing them out to members of their congregations.

Last year more than 1,100 ribbons were distributed and Cummings said he hopes to beat that mark this year.

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Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com or 541-564-4536.