Saturday, Hartford’s police officers hung up their handcuffs to lend a helping hand. They gave back to hurricane victims in Puerto Rico desperately in need of the basic necessities.
Led by the Hispanic Officers Association, seven fraternal organizations within the Hartford Police Department organized the donation drive, collecting everything from bug spray and baby wipes to can openers and canned goods.
“A lot of our members have family members in Puerto Rico who are suffering and we’re getting reports that a lot of the supplies are going quickly,” said Det. Denise Mendoza, Hartford Police Hispanic Officers Assoc. President.
More than two weeks after Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, people on the island are still struggling to get back on their feet.
“It’s just a disaster. No food, no water. Just total chaos,” said Det. Tanya Ortiz, who has family stranded on the island still waiting for relief. “Such a sad situation. I wish I could do more.”
With nearly 90 percent of the island still in the dark according to FEMA, flashlights and batteries are in great demand. According to the Puerto Rican government, 45 percent of the island lacks access to clean water. Bottled water was one of many items Janet Shepard donated.
“I gave canned goods, I gave fruit, you know the canned fruit. We are our brother’s keeper. So, when people are in need we can give,” she said.
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Lisa Simon of Bloomfield was the first to drop off donations, after hearing about the relief effort on NBC Connecticut.
How can we not help other people cause it could happen to us here? So, I just went down to Stop and Shop got some things opened up my cabinet took out some groceries and came down,” said Simon.
Through a partnership with the Hispanic Federation of New York, Detective Mendoza said JetBlue Airlines will fly the items down on October 20.
