SAN DIEGO– The Supporting America’s Finest campaign kicked off Thursday in downtown San Diego at ‘SDPD Appreciation Night’, and raised more than $10,000 between GoFundMe and direct contributions toward a $150,000 fundraising goal. The campaign encourages San Diegans to show their support for America’s Finest, the San Diego Police Department.
“As Mayor, I know that our police department is critical to building One San Diego and opportunities for every San Diego neighborhood, family and child,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. “Without our officers, I know there is little foundation and hope for opportunities for a brighter day. So it is with great honor and gratitude that I’m helping to give back a small token of appreciation for our city’s police officers.”
The San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, California Restaurant Association, and San Diego’s Business Improvement District (BID) invite the community to display Supporting America’s Finest campaign posters and trend positive interactions with law enforcement by using the hashtag ‘#SDPDProud’ on social media. The campaign also includes a fundraising element to honor the SDPD’s fallen officers with a fundraising goal of $150,000. Donations will fund a new San Diego Police Memorial at the San Diego Police headquarters.
“We are grateful for the support from San Diegans and the civic, business and community leaders of our City, who we are honored to protect and serve,” said San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman. “I am proud of our officers and professional civilian staff who come to work every day with the goal of improving the quality of life for all by providing the highest quality of police services. This campaign demonstrates appreciation for San Diego’s men and woman of law enforcement. The words ‘thank you’ can never be said enough to our officers.”
The campaign has gained unprecedented support and cooperation from the San Diego business community, bringing together various San Diego civic and business organizations. ‘SDPD Appreciation Night’ at ALTITUDE Sky Lounge featured San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders, San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association Board Member Jim Durbin and other community leaders. Participating organizations include:
- San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association
- San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
- San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association
- San Diego Business Improvement District Council
- San Diego Police Officers Association
- San Diego Organizing Project
“One of our main goals at the Chamber is to be a coalition builder for the business community and this campaign offers a tremendous opportunity to bring businesses throughout the region together in support of our police officers who do so much for our community,” said San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders. “Through this collective effort we will be able showcase the good work and positive impact police officers make every day and I hope that spreads far beyond San Diego.”
Campaign organizers have designed Supporting America’s Finest posters, and will distribute them among the membership base of supporting organizations. San Diego business owners and residents motivated to display the posters can download and print them by visiting the campaign website. Donations can also be made through the campaign website: www.sdpdproud.com.
“This campaign in support of law enforcement is a passion project,” said San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association Board Member Jim Durbin. “The sacrifices made by law enforcement demand our respect. We hope the nation sees that San Diegans support their police department and the officers who risk their lives each day. Just as officers make a daily sacrifice, we must make a daily commitment to show our gratitude. ”
How can we be proud while Chief Zimmerman sits on top of Bonnie Dumanis’ Brady Index? Has everyone forgotten that Bonnie keeps a list of corrupt cops and no one will do a damn thing about it?