"Prints by Falls Artist Offset Cop Badge Cost"
By Alison Olsen
Niagara Falls Review

Residents of the Niagara Region are being invited to Bring the Colors Home as the Niagara Regional Police 
unveil a limited edition print available to those who contribute towards the force's new insignia.

The print, entitled Bringing the Colors Home, was created by Niagara Falls artist Maria Klokkou and features
12 individual scenes which most represents each municipaligy. Niagara Falls features the mighty cataracts
and the old clock tower represents Niagara-on-the-Lake.

A group of local citizens representing different municipalities have been working diligently since late August
to come up with a way to support the NRP by helping to raise the estimated $35,000 needed to equip 
NRP shoulder flashes, cap badges and police cruisers with the new insignia.

Lieutenant Governor Henry Jackman presented the new colors earlier this month. The badge, which will make
its debut appearance in about eight weeks on the NRP's new uniforms, is the third in the history of the NRP
but the first insignia to uniquely represent the Niagara Region.

"This is a way to bring the community and the police services closer together and to show the board that
the community is behind them," said committee member and president of the Niagara Falls Chamber of
Commerce Ted Salci.

The committee members brainstormed ideas for awhile before approaching artist Klokkou who offered her
services. A self-taught British artist who works in pastel, oils, watercolor and pencils, Klokkou ran a 
successful gallery in St. Catharines for about a year before moving her gallery to its present Lundy's Lane
location.

For donations of $75 or more, the donor will receive a copy of the limited edition print as a token of
appreciation. The print, approximately 16 inches by 20 inches, is done with pencil and bordered in the red,
green and blue colors of the NRP's new insignia.

"I think it will be very impressive when it's completed," Salci said, adding the funds raised will avoid hitting
taxpayers with the bill for the additional costs of the new insignia.

The partially-completed work was unveiled at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club on Tuesday. A
final product is expected to be presented at next Thursday's NRP service board meeting and the copies
of the print are expected to be ready by mid-November and will be available until mid-December.

Organizers say donors will not only be supporting a worthy cause but the print should make a unique
Christmas present. Only about 1,000 prints will be made. Donations made payable to the Regional
Municipality of Niagara will receive a receipt for income tax purposes. The NRP will also make a police
officer available to present the print in appreciation of support to local groups and clubs. For more information
regarding the prints, contact NRP public affairs officer Sgt. Mark Carter at 688-4111 ext. 4299.

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