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       Joseph Sapia Painting blue center lines on roads has become a trend in recent weeks among people looking to show their support for the men and women in blue who serve in law enforcement. “I think the purpose of it is to remind people that we support our police officers and appreciate everything they do for us,” said Middletown Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger. In late October, Middletown city workers painted a blue line on Kings Highway. It runs about 2 miles from the police station on Highway 35 to Red Mountain Road. Around Nov. 1, Holmdel workers painted a blue line on Crawford Corner Road near the City Hall Police Department. Mayor Eric Hinds said the blue line will run about a quarter mile along Crawford Corner Road to Holmdel High School. “Some other cities are doing the same thing,” Hinds said. “We’re just joining in to show our appreciation. I don’t know if this year has been worse for police officers. We just want to show our support.” This year, police officers have been shot in Dallas, Iowa, California, Alaska, Arizona, Louisiana, Michigan and Puerto Rico. More than 50 police officers have been shot nationwide this year, according to CNN. “It’s a very difficult job right now,” said Middletown Police Detective Lt. Paul J. Bailey. Middletown and Holmdel have painted a blue line between existing double yellow lines. At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders passed a resolution stating the board “strongly supports drawing a symbolic thin blue line across the county in support of law enforcement.” “The thin blue line is a universal symbol in the law enforcement community that not only honors fallen officers, but represents a shared commitment to all who choose to protect their communities every day,” the freeholder resolution reads. The phrase “thin blue line” is used to describe the presence of police officers who separate the good guys from the bad. “We need to show the public and the youth our support for law enforcement and all that they do for us,” Freehold Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “That’s the only way we can earn the respect that our law enforcement deserves.” “In Monmouth County, we support our law enforcement 100 percent,” Arnone said. “The police were very grateful,” Scharfenberger said. “I think the fact that they chose to do this speaks volumes about our city and the community that we serve and protect,” Bailey said. “It’s a very nice gesture.” “I think it shows support for law enforcement, which is a good thing,” said Holmdel Police Lt. Robert Philhauer. Scharfenberger said the line work was part of routine maintenance. He said it will last for a while. “I think if we want to make this permanent, we have to make a decision,” Scharfenbergers said. Scharfenberger said painting different colored lines — green for St. Patrick’s Day, pink for breast cancer awareness — seems to have become a trend.