Pro-Police Truck Hits The Road After Causing Stir

MELROSE, MA — A truck carrying a massive sign in support of police drew some frustration, some markings and at least two parking tickets before finally hitting the road.

The truck parked on Main Street at Green Street sat there for well over 24 hours, its giant "Defend Your Police" sign blocking the fronts of a few businesses. The sign — essentially a billboard on wheels — had a stylized "E" written over what would otherwise say "Defund Your Police," apparently in response to the movement to reimagine policing as the country continues to grapple with police brutality and systemic racism.

The sign linked to a website with the same name, a pro-Trump page where people post about their positive experiences with police.

Police Chief Mike Lyle told Patch Monday the truck was expected to be gone before the end of the day. As of Tuesday morning, the truck was no longer there.

Lyle said as of Monday afternoon the truck had been hit with two tickets: One for parking outside marked spaces — the truck took up parts of three spots — and one for overnight parking. Both are $25 fines.

The truck left with a few more words affixed to it. "Black Lives Matter" and "BLM" was scrawled in several spots, something the truck didn't have when it arrived, the owner of one business told Patch. The word "police" was taped over on one side, though it's not clear when that happened.

The truck has made stops in various communities in recent weeks. The DefendYourPolice Facebook page — which consists of mostly pro-Trump posts — has more than 14,000 likes.

Political connotations aside, at least one business owner was frustrated with the truck taking up multiple parking spaces in a stretch of businesses where parking can be hard to come by.

Mayor Paul Brodeur visited the area and talked to some of the business owners Sunday.

"He has instructed the Chief to ticket the vehicle as appropriate and to take any further actions required as permitted by state and local law," Chief of Staff Patrick Prendergast said Monday night.