The "M" on Box Springs Mountain was illuminated with red and blue flashing lights from dusk until midnight in recognition of National Police Week, which pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, with the entire week to be recognized as Police Week. Each year tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
"As a nation we mourn the losses of fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters who laid down their lives protecting the neighborhoods – and the people - they loved," said Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. "While we will never be able to fill the void their loss left in their families, their departments, and their communities, we continue to honor their memory and the impact they made each and every day.”
City Hall's LED lighting system on Box Springs Mountain for the 'M' is designed to enhance local events and provide a source of civic unity and pride. The default color will be white.
Lighting the ‘M’ promotes the City, its civic institutions, state and federal holidays, and other public events of community significance and times of celebration. The City may accept community requests for special lighting to recognize a specific cause or to commemorate or enhance a specific event. Non-profit and charitable organizations can request that the 'M' be illuminated in specific colors to elevate awareness of their cause.
Priority in choosing colors for the lights will be given to promoting events that celebrate the City, its civic institutions, City recognized holidays, public events and festivals. Requests to change the color or pattern of the 'M’s' decorative lights will be accommodated as dates are available. The City reserves the right to deny or modify requests.