True blue devotion

Allison Austin’s brother-in-law serves on the Colorado State Patrol.

Following the tragedy in Texas on July 7 when a sniper shot 12 Dallas police officers and left five dead, Austin felt it was imperative to show support for local law enforcement.

So she created a Facebook page called “Canvas for Cops” and invited community members to join her at Big Dry Creek Park on July 13.

Austin, of Highlands Ranch, provided the supplies — a large blank canvas, red paint, buckets of water and refreshments. Community members were asked to show up, dip a hand in the red paint and leave a mark on a canvas.

After an hour, the canvas was covered in handprints — big and small — in the shape of an American flag.

The canvas was imperfect and a little messy — its meaning consequential.

Austin plans to deliver the canvas to a local police department the week of July 18.

“We want to show our police department that we are all still raising our kids to love and respect them — even though not necessarily everyone in our country is doing that,” she said.

About 15 people circulated in and out of the park, at 9898 S. Atherton Way, at any given moment from 4-6 p.m.

Parents brought children of all ages, from teens to toddlers.

Ana Bohman, of Highlands Ranch, was at the park with her 1- and 3-year-olds. The young boy and girl sported matching red, white and blue apparel.

She said she tells her kids that not all cops are bad.

“I told my 3-year-old bad things were happening to police officers,” she said, “and he needs to trust them because they are here to protect us.”

Meghan Fleming showed up with her twin 3-year-old sons. Her family doesn’t watch the news because it’s “too depressing,” she said.

She often questions how to talk to her young sons about events like the Dallas tragedy.

“I told my sons some people don’t like law enforcement,” she said, “but we need to show them that we still appreciate them.”

Fleming recalled a fitting quote by Fred Rogers:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, `Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ”

“It’s so true,” Fleming said.

Janet Martin, of Highlands Ranch, attended the gathering with her 8-year-old daughter.

“I think it’s a great community event,” she said. “We need to show our support for the boys and girls in blue.”