BEACON OF BLUE
Come by and thank the officers
for keeping us safe!
What is Beacon of Blue™?
Beacon of Blue™ is an initiative created by Golden State Restaurant Group to encourage a positive alliance between law enforcement and local residents. A fixture in the area for more than 50 years, the family of Don and Jean Schrader, the owners of the first McDonald’s franchise in Stockton, has been instrumental in creating and promoting the program.
Supporting Those Who
Protect and Serve
As a sign of respect and support for law enforcement and first responders, area McDonald’s have installed small blue lights around their rooftops and hosting events where law enforcement, first responders, and community members gather in solidarity as they symbolically flip a switch to illuminate the lights. The restaurants also hand out blue bulbs to attendees so they can take them home for use in a porch light or elsewhere to spread the message in their neighborhood.
The Hope of a
Brighter Beacon
The goal of the Beacon of Blue™ initiative is to spread a message of reconciliation, trust, and hope throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond. Approximately 45 McDonald’s restaurants have lent their support to the movement. But that’s just the beginning. Through partnerships with businesses, police departments, government agencies, and communities around the nation, we hope to see the entire country radiating a reassuring blue hue as a new era of trust and cooperation between police and citizens takes hold.
The Thin Blue Line
The “blue” in the name comes from the traditional color of police uniforms, and also from the idea of the “thin blue line” that separates a community from the chaos that would ensue without the men and women who swear an oath to protect and serve it. Originating in the United Kingdom, the symbol was initially displayed to honor fallen officers, but its meaning has expanded to represent all first responders and promote the ideas of honor, integrity, safety, and peace. Today it is widely used throughout the United States and Canada.