News File Photo Police officers eye a scene at a recent traffic crash in Alpena.

ALPENA — Thank-you cards, some of them drawn in crayon, cover a bulletin board at the Alpena Police Department.

“Times like that, you remember why we’re here,” reflected APD Chief Joel Jett, who said the notes have to be taken down regularly to make room for more.

In Northeast Michigan, people and businesses have stepped up in recent weeks to show appreciation to the police officers who report to work daily to protect and serve their communities.

National Police Week, celebrated this year May 10 to 16, honors the service of uniformed officers, with special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This year, the threat of death doesn’t just come from guns or high-speed chases for police officers.

COVID-19-related deaths in Michigan police departments in the past two months have included a sheriff’s commander, a 911 dispatcher, the commanding officer of the Detroit Police Department homicide section, and a neighborhood safety officer.

Downstate, hundreds of officers have been quarantined pending test results after exposure to the coronavirus or after they showed symptoms of the sickness.

Though being on the job means potentially being close to a dangerous virus, officers keep coming to work — and the people they serve have shown their gratitude, local police agencies say.

Personal protective equipment and homemade masks have been delivered to area police stations. Teachers have donated now-unneeded classroom supplies of hand sanitizer and wipes. A restaurant dropped off lasagna for officers. A city manager bought a staff pizza from his own wallet.

“Even our bosses at City Hall are saying, ‘Hey, thanks so much for being there,'” said Jett.

While many officers feel respect for police has dropped markedly in recent decades, that isn’t reflected in Alpena, according to Steve Kieliszewski, Alpena County sheriff.

In recent weeks, the public has brought his office regular supplies of snacks — including the cop favorite, doughnuts, he said.

Officers have been brought closer together by the extra pressures of needing to keep themselves and the people with whom they interact safe, the sheriff said, and the community has been particularly grateful for police outreach, such as when officers participate in children’s drive-by birthday parties, complete with whirring sirens.

Callers to the Michigan State Police-Alpena Post have been full of questions, but full of thank-yous as well, said Sgt. Rich Tucker, who often mans the phones in the post’s front lobby.

While many people call looking for direction because so much has changed — and others call looking for a loophole that lets them do what they want, despite government orders — many, many callers take time to thank police for being on the front lines and still doing their work, Tucker said.

It’s a confusing time, police recognize, with what the public can and can’t do in a constant state of flux and rules changing from week to week. It’s frustrating, and police are seeing some of that frustration, Tucker said,

Still, Northeast Michigan has been overwhelmingly supportive of their law enforcement, officials say, responding with compliance when asked to adhere to the current rules and trying to help police do their work.

Rogers City police have received a few calls about people coming north after they’d been ordered not to — which proved to not be true — or reporting businesses open illegally — which turned out to be owners doing maintenance work, according to Police Chief Jamie Meyer.

It’s mostly been quiet, though, he said. An anticipated spike in complaints hasn’t materialized. Businesses aren’t challenging executive orders. People are doing their part.

As many face change and uncertainty, officers keep working, the police chief said — cruising the streets at night, watching for dangerous drivers, checking for broken windows, helping first responders at medical calls, and wearing masks to keep people safe.

And, Meyer said, people keep sending thank you cards.

Know a good cop?

The Police Officers Association of Michigan invites residents to nominate special officers who make a difference in their community for consideration as the Good Cop of the Month. Online nominations can be made at poam.net/good-cop.