WINDSOR, N.S. — RCMP officers working in Windsor and West Hants on Monday night had a surprise waiting for them when they showed up for their evening shift.
Actually, they had a few.
Blue ribbons tied to trees lining the detachment’s property could be seen flapping in the wind on April 20. A navy and white flag from Ashley Connors that says “WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER” was hung near an entryway facing Morison Drive. It featured a Mountie dressed in Red Serge saluting, and an outline of Nova Scotia adorned with a red heart.
Out back, facing Highway 101, citizens propped up a large, handmade heart that reads “Nova Scotia Strong” beside another sign showing the province of Nova Scotia and hearts representing victims killed by a now-deceased gunman who targeted civilians and officers alike over the weekend.
Enfield based member Const. Heidi Stevenson died in the line of duty, and Const. Chad Morrison is now home recovering from gunshot wounds.
Some members of an online Windsor-West Hants Caremongers Facebook group that has been assisting individuals in need of helping hands during the COVID-19 crisis wanted to do something to show local police officers that the community appreciates their service.
“Everybody wants to do something, but… there’s nothing that can take any of this heartache or anything away from anybody, so our group is all about caring and trying to do things to help people,” said Leslie Porter, who oversees the group.
Local individuals and businesses donated supplies for the displays, and a small number of volunteers handled the setup. Porter said Windsor-based flower shop owner Jennifer Daniels prepared a beautiful arrangement for the sign on the front lawn of the detachment.
More people wanted to be involved with the show of appreciation for local RCMP members, but Porter said the group had to be mindful of physical distancing and gathering restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A parade of vehicles drove by the detachment after the displays were in place.
Tribute parade happening outside the Windsor and District RCMP detachment (April 20, 2020)
Posted by Carole Morris-Underhill on Monday, 20 April 2020
“I hope they see that the community supports them, not only during this awful time, but all of the time,” said Porter.
Const. Tamu Bracken joined three fellow members in greeting the community members working on the display Monday evening.
“My whole office, we are so moved by what the Windsor, West Hants Caremongers have done,” she said in a brief interview.
Bracken said it was amazing to see community members taking the time to show their support.
“It’s really touching. This tragedy has really affected the whole province, and we all have to come together.”
Porter wasn’t surprised to see members of the group stepping up to take on a series of individual projects to make the display for the local RCMP detachment happen so soon. They’ve helped countless residents throughout the state of emergency prompted by COVID-19.
“Everything gets solved so quickly,” said Porter, referring to requests for assistance posted on the Caremongers Windsor-West Hants Facebook page.
“People are embracing it because I think they know there’s not much else they can do.”
