Community Policing

I was really glad that the weatherman was wrong about the 70-80% chance of showers for today's ride.  We started out in the rain from East Hanover, NJ, but the rain quit early on, leaving the clouds to keep us cool.

This year the route diverged a bit from past years and I caught a glimpse of the benefits of Community Policing, New Jersey Style.  In every town, township, county and borough that we rode through, folks stood on the curb waving or waiting patiently in their cars as we rode.

Kids from pre-school through High School came out to high-five us and entertain us with the marching band.

The suit & tie crew came out from their luncheon to applaud as we rode by.

Local Law Enforcement Officers lined the route.

Verizon hosted our break

and American Flags were all over the route.  It wasn't just local Fire Departments exercising their ladders, but people along the route came out to wave the flag.  

This tremendous show of support was not the result of a few Officers making a few calls to tell people about the Police Unity Tour passing through.  This was a reflection of the deeper connection that the local law enforcement agencies have within all the communities that we passed through today.

The route was pretty awesome too.  There is some really pretty cycling to be had around northern New Jersey.