WS Chronicle

BY TODD LUCK 

THE CHRONICLE

Camel City BBQ Factory served Winston-Salem’s Finest during a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day held at the downtown restaurant on Friday, Aug. 26.

The event was sponsored by local businesses who also supplied volunteers who served officers and non-sworn personnel of the Winston-Salem Police Department. A special room was set aside for the volunteers to serve both lunch and dinner to hundreds of officers.

The effort was spear-headed by Camel City BBQ Factory owner Steve Doumas and Twin City Custom Cabinets owner Steve Womble. Doumas said that police were familiar faces at the eatery, which is only a few minutes walk from the WSPD’s headquarters on North Cherry Street.

“We’re one block away from them, so they come to see us all the time, and they eat lunch with us all the time, so we wanted to thank them,” said Doumas.

Womble said both he and Doumas have families that have owned businesses in the downtown area since the 1950s, and have seen it transform to a safer place thanks to the WSPD.

“You can look at this restaurant and the downtown development in Winston-Salem and see how great it is, you can see people out at night, and there’s one reason: These guys right here,” Womble said about the officers there.

WSPD officers and personnel used the opportunity to enjoy a meal and fellowship with each other. Sgt. Allison Marion said she was grateful for the show of appreciation. She said it’s part of a pattern the WSPD has been experiencing recently.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the citizens of Winston as a whole for the last few months,” said Marion.

She said officers have received encouraging calls, cards, letters, baked goods, treats and bottled water from citizens. Last month, a prayer vigil for law enforcement drew a large crowd to the police department. She said the outpouring is in response to recent events with law enforcement in other parts of the country.

There have been ten-sions between police and the communities they serve in other cities around the country, often highlighted with controversial killings of black men by the police, which have made national headlines recently. There have also been mass shootings targeting police officers in cities like Dallas, Texas.

Sgt. Mike Allen said he was glad to see the out-pouring of local support. He feels the relationship between police and the community is good in Winston-Salem.

“I think we’re blessed to have the relationship we do with the community,” he said.

“That’s a testament not only to the quality officers that we have working here, but the leadership.”

The event was sponsored by Camel City BBQ Factory, North Point Jeep, Leonard Ryden Burr Real Estate, Champion Clothing, Twin City Custom Cabinets, Bimco Inc., Bell Davis & Pitt, and