Feds say no more blue lines honoring cops? 11 arguments for keeping them

If there's one thing that always generates discussion in New Jersey, it's communities' relationships with police.

Several New Jersey communities have sought to show support for their men and women in blue — painting thin blue lines down roadways. But as reported by New Jersey 101.5 this weekend, the federal government says that's simply not allowed  — that the double lines already on roads need to be separated by discernible spaces.

Hundreds of you have taken to our Facebook page with passionate arguments for, and against, keeping the blue lines. Just a few are selected below. Comments have been edited in some cases for capitalization, spelling, punctuation or length.

Arguments for keeping the blue lines

Megan Tavares Jones: Seriously! They claim it's because it's the color for handicapped spots. If someone is that stupid that they think they can park on the road because of the blue line ... then they shouldn't have a license. I see this as a direct show of disrespect of police and lack of support for them by our federal government.

Brian Swirbel: Tell feds to go screw. Unless it is a federally funded road, they shouldn't have anything to say.

Arthur Rittenhouse: Do they think people will park in the middle of the street because they think it is a handicapped space?

Donna C. Abene: I think the feds have more important things to worry about than a local show of support for policemen. Have they looked at who is moving into the White House and Cabinet?

Chris Williams: The current administration has shown that they do not support police and are part of the reason why there is so much violence aimed at police. So it does not surprise me that the feds are trying to stop something thats in support of our fine police officers around the country. Paint the entire roadway and let the feds have their tiny space boxed in between the lines. That'll send a message.

Lynn Martin: Tell the feds that as soon as people stop killing our police officers, we will paint it the other way. Oh and go fight the real problem. And while you're doing that, Mr. Fed, wear a blue uniform.

Steve Baeli: So, according to the federal government, people are so stupid that if they see a blue line they and they have a handicapped placard that they will stop and park in the middle of the road? Or think that those without a placard can't drive on that road? What exactly does that mean?

Patricia Stocker: We have had our blue line on our Main Street for a few months (and) don't think it's impedes traffic or had any other detrimental effect on anything — but it does show that our town supports our police and other first-responders! Think it's time to ditch some of the more stupid laws and worrying about being politically correct because our police need to know that we support them 100 percent!

Patricia Diorio Dalley: These guys and women are on our front lines. We should honor them. The feds are just jealous.

Ray Milne: If that's the case, then no more pink lines in October for breast cancer support, or green lines for St. Patrick's Day. There is no reason that there can't be a blue line near a police station just as there should be a red line near direhouses for support of firefighters.

Mary Roray: I would never connect the blue stripe with a handicap marking. It honors the police. Keep it going.

(Story continues below video)

Arguments for losing the blue lines

Steve Caruso: We can find ways to express support to our police that are not illegal. We can find dozens of ways that aren't illegal. But "supporting" our law enforcement by doing something (anything) illegal *isn't* cool and is an insult to their office.

Bill Prentiss: How about everyone just shows the boys in blue a little respect and courtesy! I'm sure every cop in America would rather have that than a blue line painted in the road anyway.

David Salt: Find another way to support law enforcement. This is stupid. It is also meaningless. Some towns will do it and other won't, and in the end what did it really do for anyone?

William Max Gresham: As a road enthusiast I'm amused at the comments here that say the states and municipalities should have the say over what colors they use on the roads. What if I'm from out of the area and I have no idea what a blue center line means? E-ZPass lanes at Pennsylvania toll booths have a purple stripe bounded by white delineating the lane, so it's not a stretch of the imagination to think that a blue line would lead someone to believe that use of the road is restricted to certain motorists. Find another way to honor the police that doesn't cause confusion.

William Ortiz: Laws are laws, rules are rules. We don't get to pick and choose the ones we follow.

Kevin Kretz: I don't think a PD or town should be able to arbitrarily repaint roads in fealty to the police. I support law enforcement and count numerous friends in the job. But this is creepy.

Heather Smith: I didn't even know this was happening. Can we fix our roads first? The potholes are out of control

Natalie Schneider: Plus, defying the law is an odd way of showing support for police.