Homewood businesses, residents feed police department

After recent police killings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Homewood Police Chief Tim Ross said the city has come out in force to show their support for the police department.

"It comes at a time that our guys and girls really need this kind of support because things that happened in Dallas and Baton Rouge affect every police officer regardless of where you work because you understand that it can happen to you, it can happen to your department," Ross said.

This has included individual gestures, lunch provided by the city council and a cake and plaque from the Birmingham Islamic Society this week. 

“We are very lucky to have a good relationship with the police in our community and, as Americans, we have an obligation to show solidarity,” said Ashfaq Taufique of the Birmingham Islamic Society.

On Friday, July 22, a group of Homewood businesses and the Homewood Police Foundation came together to provide a meal for all three shifts at the Homewood Public Library.

JJ Lamb of JJ Eyes led the effort, with help from the Hollywood Garden Club and owners of Piggly Wiggly, Shaia's, Soca, fab'rik and several other Homewood businesses. Andy Virciglio of Piggly Wiggly and Coke Williams of LAH Real Estate helped to provide and prepare the food. Homewood High School's Star Spangled Girls and local Boy Scouts were also on hand to help in providing and serving food.

The event was put together in about three days, but Ross said all the details were only finalized the day before it happened. Despite that, there was heavy turnout from both day and evening shifts.

Tom Hale of the Police Foundation said the lunch was a chance to show appreciation for police officers' willingness to put their lives on the line for the residents they serve, as well as a comfort during a time when police departments around the country are taking extra safety precautions.

"[They] wanted to make their visible, tangible show of support for these men and women who are in the uniform," Hale said.

The day and evening shift officers, including several rookies who just graduated, enjoyed their meal at the library, and Ross said the remainder of the food would be brought to the department for the night shift.

"It makes our guys and girls feel important, that they're needed, appreciated and supported," Ross said.