Two West Texas businesses are switching their priorities from making money, to building a stronger community.

On Saturday, JP Vasquez and his business partner at Raider Graphix, designed a gray and white Texas-shaped window decal with the words Back the Blue.

So far, Vasquez said they have printed about 500 stickers.

“Gosh we can’t keep them in stock,” Vasquez said.

Normally, businesses do not take a stance on public issues, but Vasquez said this problem was too big to ignore.

“It’s something that we can’t shy away from,” Vasquez said. “This is very important to us. It’s not just a fad. It is a really big deal and it is important that we as people and as the public to get behind and focus on these issues.”

Raider Graphix is selling the stickers for $3 with $1 of the proceeds going to families of officers injured or killed in the Dallas ambush.

Tuesday, People’s Bank and RPS Solutions agreed to match their donation.

“It’s been a blessing and it’s been very overwhelming,” Vasquez said.

Last year in Littlefield, Mike Holmes put a strip of blue vinyl tape on his back window.He said the line makes a statement.

“We want to back them 100% because these are our friends, our family, our neighbors,” Holmes said.
Holmes recently made an offer to his community. He will put a blue strip on any car for free.

“Our goal is in a group of vehicles,” Holmes said. “We want at least one car with one blue line.”

The line is supposed to put officers at ease.

“It’s not as comfortable as it was,” Holmes said.”Not to say it was ever comfortable but that little blue line there lets them know these people have got our backs.”

Holmes invited the public to his shop at 805 U.S. Highway 84 in Littlefield on Wednesday morning at 10:30 to receive a blue stripe.

“We want every car to have a blue line,” HOlmes said. “So we will continue to do as many lines as we can, as many windshields as we can, until we can’t possibly find any more blue vinyl tape whatsoever.”

The Lubbock Professional Police Association also sent KLBK a statement regarding the support they have  received from the community.

It said in part: “Our members appreciate the strong support of the community and will continue to strive to build strong bonds with all members of the community.

Without their support the job of our members become much more difficult and dangerous.” 

To buy a Back the Blue decal from Raider Graphix visit their shop at 726 Donald Preston Dr. or their website
raidergraphix.com.

Here is the full statement from the Lubbock Professional Police Association

After the recent tragedy in Dallas the Lubbock Professional Police Association continues to be humbled by the support of the citizens of the Lubbock Community.

Gifts of food, prayer services, and something as simple as thanks on the street reinforce that our members serve one of the greatest communities in the State and Nation.

Our members appreciate the strong support of the community and will continue to strive to build strong bonds with all members of the community. Without their support the job of our members become much more difficult and dangerous.

Our membership will continue to serve the community and citizens of the City of Lubbock to the best of their ability.

James Sullivan,
President, Lubbock Professional Police Association