Cazenovian Emma Fontana may only be 9 years old, but that does not mean she is not aware of the violence against police officers occurring across the U.S. — or that she doesn’t care. In fact, Fontana recently wanted to thank Cazenovia police officers for all they do for the community, so she gave them five gift bags filled with candy and affixed with a letter of gratitude.
“I saw it on the Internet and thought it would be a good idea,” Fontana said about why she chose to make the “Survival Kits for Law Enforcement Officers” that she gave to local police. Fontana will be entering fifth grade in Cazenovia when school resumes in September.
Each bag was filled with lifesavers, Smarties, Hershey kisses, gum, Tootsie Rolls, Peppermint Patties, Mounds and Laffy Taffy and the letter on the bags explained what each was for:
• Lifesaver: To remind you of the many times you’ve been one.
• Smarties: To give you wisdom for those split-second decisions.
• Hershy Kisses: To show our love for you.
• Gum: To help everyone stick together.
• Tootsie Roll: You have to roll with the punches.
• Peppermint Patty: Helping you keep your cool.
• Mounds: For the mounds of courage you show.
• Laffy Taffy: To remind you that laughter is a great stress reliever.
“It’s nice to have such support from the community,” said Police Chief Michael Hayes, who thanked Fontana for the survival kits and gave her a special plaque of thanks from the department as well as a card signed by every officer in the department. “I think my officers all gained about 10 pounds.”
Hayes said in addition to Fontana’s gifts, Cazenovia police have been receiving verbal thanks, doughnuts, flowers, and letters of support from people across the community and even from people passing through Cazenovia. “It’s been nice because we generally don’t get that,” he said. “The general public has been expressing concern for our safety because unfortunately we are being hunted.”
Police across the country have been ambushed and murdered at least 11 times so far in 2016, with the most recent being in Dallas, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The number of police officers shot and killed in the U.S. is 44 percent higher than at this time last year , according to data from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler said he and the village board are also thankful of such support.
“The village is very appreciative of this young woman and all the residents who have taken time to support and recognize our officers, and we’re looking into ways to acknowledge her thoughtfulness as well as the service of our police,” Wheeler said.
