My name is Dylan DeLuca. I am 15 years old and a sophomore at Syosset High School in Syosset, NY. Over the past year I have witnessed a series of terrible events across our country that have not only scared me, but have divided our country. In particular, the relationship between our communities and our police, who are in place to serve and protect our communities. This relationship has deteriorated to the point where some citizens do not trust the police and in turn, the police are in a position that they are putting their lives in danger by simply trying to effectively do their jobs.

There is plenty of blame to go around and, in any society, there will always be good and bad on both sides, however, I believe a strong community starts and ends with respect for one another and myself, Spencer Haber and a few of my classmates, have decided to let our voices be heard.

The idea isn’t my own but it is one I believe in and think can go a long way to show support for our police force, and in turn, help build bridges within our community, with the hope that it will proliferate and similarly build those same bridges across other communities across our country.

The proposal is simple. We would like to raise funding to paint blue lines in between the double yellow lines in the streets leading in and out of our police station on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury, NY. I realize this is nothing more than a symbolic gesture and in it of itself, some blue paint, will not provide a meaningful outcome, but what I think it can do, is remind both our residents and our police force, when they see these blue lines, is that we are all in this together. No matter where you stand on the issue, it’s not about who is right or wrong, it's about how we move forward, heal wounds and ultimately solve the problem. I want the police in my town to know they are appreciated and I also want them to know that our citizens care about them. I also want them to know, we, in large part, are good people and should be treated with the same respect. As I said, a strong community starts and ends with mutual respect.

Here’s the best part. My friends and I do not want a single nickel to come from taxpayers. We want to raise the money required through spreading the word and asking for contributions through our classmates, friends, family and the people of our community.

My goal is to gain support for this idea and to obtain 250 signatures from people who want to see something like this come to life in our town. Once completed, I will bring this idea and your support to local government officials and convince them to make it happen.

On a personal note, I have never done something like this before and I do not know what the reaction to this proposal will be but I do know that my generation will eventually inherit the leadership as well as the problems within our country. I believe it is important for us to become involved early and we need to raise awareness of our challenges today with the hope that we can help lead to a better tomorrow.

Please consider the proposal outlined above and I respectfully ask for your signature and support!

Sincerely,

Dylan DeLuca & Spencer Haber

Syosset High School, Class of 2019