Cambridge Police Goes Purple & Pink Throughout October to Bring Awareness to Important Causes

The Cambridge Police Department today announced that it will be leading and participating in a number of initiatives throughout October as part of Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Cambridge Police Department will once again be participating in the City of Cambridge’s candlelight vigil on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. on the steps of City Hall. The annual vigil will commemorate the Massachusetts women, men, and children who have lost their lives to domestic violence since last October. CPD will also be involved in the Transition House and the City of Cambridge Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative’s free Community Training “Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence” on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the City Hall Annex., 344 Broadway, 2nd floor conference room. This training is an engaging and interactive opportunity to learn about the basics of abuse and local resources. It will cover the dynamics of abuse, best practice in working with survivors, tips for responding to disclosures, and the chance to connect with many service providers in Cambridge who help survivors. Registration is required and more information is available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citywide-domestic-violence-training-tickets-70505458725. Finally, on Thursday, Oct. 24, non-sworn employees of the Cambridge Police, Fire, and Emergency Communications will be encouraged to wear purple on Purple Thursday to honor victims and supports survivors of domestic violence. Photos will be posted on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #PurpleThursday.

Aside from these events, Cambridge Public Safety will once again observe Domestic Violence Month by displaying purple in a variety of ways. The Cambridge Police Department’s Command Staff will once again wear purple badges throughout the course of October, while purple ribbon pins will be made available for the remainder of the department. Furthermore, a purple ribbon flag will be displayed on the Robert W. Healy Public Safety building, while the lights on the outside of the building will flash purple throughout the month of October. Additionally, select marked Cambridge Police cruisers will be featuring ribbon magnets that state “stop the violence.” The ribbon combination is purple (domestic violence) and teal (sexual violence).

CPD Associations Join Fight Against Cancer
The Cambridge Police Department also today announced that the two associations representing its sworn officers have joined forces to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support cancer research organizations. For the first time, the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers Association (CPPOA) and Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association (CPSOA) will be selling novelty pink Cambridge Police patches and stickers. All proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the non-profit organization, Cops for Kids with Cancer, and help fund cancer treatment and research.

The Cambridge initiative is a localized version of the Pink Patch Project, a nationwide cancer awareness and fundraising campaign. All costs associated with producing patches were made possible by generous financial donations from CPPOA, CPSOA, and their respective membership. To place an order for the patches and/or stickers, please contact the CPPOA by mail at:

CPPOA
Attn: Pink Patch Project
P.O. Box 410155
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02141

Order requests should include a note specifying the quantity of stickers or patches, a check payable to CPPOA for the full purchase price, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you would prefer to pick up your order in person, please contact the CPPOA at PinkPatch@CPPOA1969.org. All orders will be processed on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. More information is available at https://pinkpatchproject.com/massachusetts/386-cambridge-police-department.

“I am incredibly proud of the passionate work members of our Department are doing around Domestic Violence Awareness Month and now the Pink Patch Project,” said Commissioner Branville G. Bard., Jr. “We continue to increase awareness around these important causes and are always seeking innovative collaborations, trainings and programs to best serve and meet the needs of our community.”

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