EAST MOLINE, Illinois - Neighbors are showing their support for law enforcement officers with the flip of a switch.
Homes lined along 46th Avenue in East Moline are shining blue. Dustin Dorsey thought of the idea to light the neighborhood blue after two Des Moines officers were killed in an ambush on November 2, 2016.
“I started going from neighbor to neighbor and it picked up from there. I just wanted to show my support because there is a lot of negative and hate. There is more positive out of cops than what people want to face. They do so much to protect our community,” says Dustin Dorsey, who organized the blue lights.
Dustin went door to door asking neighbors to show their support with blue porch lights, paying for each bulb out of his own pocket.
“I’m hoping it spreads to more communities and state to state to let officers know we support them and stand behind them,” added Dorsey.
“Everyone is very supportive of Dustin's movement. That's what I’m calling it, ‘Dusty’s movement’ and I’m proud to be a part of it. I think everyone else is too,” says neighbor, Brian Klinge.
“Most people just see a cop and they are just like you and me. They put on their pants and go to work and they deserve to come home safe,” added Klinge.
Dustin also has neighborhoods in Moline, Rock Island and Colona who are supporting his blue light movement.