People in uniforms often receive financial and social perks for their service.
Our culture is built around honoring soldiers, first responders, police officers, and other uniformed service members, and many people support these unwritten rules.
Even so, police and other service members have garnered a lot of backlash in the last two years for racist policies and brutality.
But even as criticism of police officers escalates in the US, a Kentucky Fried Chicken in Gallipolis, Ohio has posted a sign offering free meals for cops. The restaurant does this without the expectation of anything in return, though the advantages of being on good terms with the police are obvious.
Kentucky Fried Chicken is not the only establishment that offers free food for police. Many restaurants and convenience stores have been offering them free meals and coffee for ages. But this Kentucky Fried Chicken has made their policy public with a sign on the door.
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The sign reads,
“All uniformed police officers eat free everyday all day.”
While the restaurant has not made an official statement about why they decided to post a sign, many view it as a criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement which has called out police brutality in an effort to make spaces more safe for people of color.
Opponents of Black Lives Matter have argued that the movement is exclusionary and increases harm against police.
Despite concerns about law enforcement safety, violence against police has decreased over the years. In the 1970’s, approximately 280 cops were killed in action each year. In 2010, the number had dropped down to 175. The numbers are even lower today. Between 2014 and 2015, there was a 20 percent decrease of felonious police deaths.
Social media has snatched up the photo and allowed people to decide for themselves just how they feel about Kentucky Fried Chicken making a public statement in support of local police.
The photo has been shared thousands of times and liked thousands more.
And people have weighed in and shared their thoughts.
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“The Colonel would be proud. Keep up the good work,” commented Phillip Sebald.
“I wish veterans could get that respect,” stated Debra Johnson.
“Police are not allowed to accept gratuities. It is and can be viewed as a bribe or a pay-to-play scheme. Look it up yourself,” added another person.
Do you believe Ohio police should be receiving free meals?
Watch this video below on KFC Facts while you try to decide which side you’re on!
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