A Detroit-based staffing company with New Orleans ties has “adopted” all 1,300 law enforcement officers who will be working the parade route on Thursday, February 23, 2017.
The New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation’s Adopt-A-Cop program provides officers on the route and in the city’s eight districts with the meals, snacks, and beverages needed to keep them going during the long days and nights of Mardi Gras.
Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3) will sponsor all 1,300 officers who will be on duty during the 12-hour shift that includes the Uptown parades of Muses, Chaos and the Knights of Babylon. The sponsorship will provide each officer with a brown bag “lunch” that includes a wrap/sandwich, chips, cookies, protein bar, beef jerky and a beverage.
“We love to give back to New Orleans in any way we can,” said Ariane Brennan, S3’s New Orleans branch manager. “Our city is special and we value the community and our traditions.”
Brennan is a member of the Krewe of Muses. She and several of her colleagues from Detroit will be riding in Thursday’s Muses parade.
“Enjoying Mardi Gras is a special tradition in New Orleans that would not be possible without our Krewe in Blue who work around the clock to make it happen for everyone," said Melanie Talia, President and CEO of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation. "On behalf of all our officers, we extend a big thanks to S3 for helping provide our men and women with much needed meals and snacks during the long days and nights of Carnival. After all, there would be no purple, green and gold without the blue!"
In addition to NOPD and Louisiana State Police officers, other law enforcement agencies providing additional manpower during Mardi Gras include the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Louisiana National Guard, St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tulane University Police, Louisiana Probation and Parole, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
New Orleans isn’t the first city to have police activities and outreach supported by Strategic Staffing Solutions. The company, an international, woman-owned, $321 million IT and business services corporation, has a track record of ongoing commitments to police and first responders. In Detroit, S3 financially supports the care and feeding of horses of the Detroit Police Department’s Mounted Unit, and has provided new, lighter and more effective bullet resistant vests for the dogs of the DPD K9 unit.
“We have the utmost respect for those who protect and serve our cities,” said Cynthia Pasky, CEO and Founder of Strategic Staffing Solutions. “It’s the little things that can make a really big impact. We commend the work of our police departments and are proud to step up and support.”