A Message from Coral Springs Chief Clyde Parry
Many of us look forward to 2021 and wish to put 2020 in the rearview mirror.
I can understand why we wish 2020 would go away. It has been a year filled with challenges and tragedies. But I am careful to never wish time away. Not even time where things are tough, and there seems to be no end in sight. I believe that each second of life is precious, and each day brings us another opportunity to grow as a person, discover something new or make someone else’s life a little better.
As I look back on 2020, of course, I recognize all the challenges, civil unrest, political strife, and the sickness and loss of life caused by the pandemic.
It is easy to dwell on the negatives and only recognize the problems. But as I look back, I will also remember how our police department, our city employees, and our citizens all came together to fight this pandemic and give 2020 all it could handle. In my opinion, we came out victorious.
I think about rolling up our sleeves and working together. I think about the tremendous effort we put into procuring hard to find PPE, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizer to keep our city running so that we could serve our citizens. I think about daily meetings, developing strategies, and information sharing to keep everyone safe.
I think about the Parkland Families who dealt with an unthinkable tragedy, coming to our aid and donating some of those badly needed supplies.
I think about how that made me feel inside and how I wouldn’t change that feeling for anything in the world.
I think about birthday parades for young and old who couldn’t celebrate in the traditional way.
I think about our high school seniors who were without all the pomp and circumstance that goes with traditional graduation celebrations, and how our city came together to provide all five of our high schools with a meaningful and special graduation celebration at the Sportsplex.
I think about our 4th of July parade throughout our city that helped all of us celebrate that holiday.
I think about how we came together for all the food drives that help those who lost their job during this pandemic feed their families.
I think about our drive through Trick or Treat event that brought so many ghosts and goblins to our city garage where they received so many treats.
I think about our Happy Holiday drive-thru extravaganza at the Sportsplex that put us all in the holiday spirit.
I think about our toy drive, our three Shop with a Cop events, our fill the truck event, and our Angel Tree programs that generated a record amount of toys given to needy families who otherwise wouldn’t have presents for their children.
Lastly, I think about all the doctors, nurses, cops, and firefighters who risked their lives to deliver services to those sick and in need.
You see, I wouldn’t wish away a single minute of 2020. With all the pain and suffering it brought us, it also brought us teamwork, goodness, kindness, and strength.
We really had a remarkable year. Those are the things I will think about when I remember 2020. I hope you will too.
In closing, I want to wish all of you and your friends and families all the joy and happiness of the Holiday Season. I pray that 2021 brings us health, prosperity, and a bright future.
Whatever it brings, I know we will be ready for it, as 2020 has taught us how to work together to persevere.
One Team, One Mission.
Clyde Parry
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