Little girl sends crosses to local police

During a time of increased tension between citizens and police officers, one little girl is smoothing things over, said Chula Vista police Capt. Roxana Kennedy.

“We all wear uniforms and a badge, so when anything (negative) happens in law enforcement, it creates a ripple effect,” Kennedy said.

Eight-year-old Arianna “Ari” Nichols began a campaign in September to protect police officers and firefighters across the nation by mailing out colorful crosses.

“I thought of the officers and firefighters, and I know that they have dangerous job, and I thought to protect them and keep them safe,” Ari said. “They are awesome, how they protect us and sacrifice their life for us and save us.”

It started with a bucket of Perler beads she received from her parents for her birthday. She began shaping the tiny plastic pieces into crosses and handing them out.

One day Ari gave a handful of them to a stranger at her door, who said her husband is a police officer in Illinois.

After a photo of the officer’s uniform laid out next to the cross went viral, Ari’s small gesture became a hot commodity.

To help her daughter fulfill her goal of reaching at least one police or fire department in every state, Laura Nichols sends messages to them on Facebook asking if they’d like to receive crosses.

She said that everyone who has responded has taken her up on the offer.

Nichols said the crosses reflect Ari’s faith and adoration for emergency personnel, sparked by her love of religion and desire to protect those in danger.

She helps her daughter by sorting the beads by color and doing the ironing that melts the beads together into the shapes of crosses.

Ari spends about 10 hours a week making the crosses, working on them after school, on the weekends and before bed.

She sent the Chula Vista Police Department 225 crosses, matching the department’s sworn officers, who keep the crosses on their desks, in their pockets, wallets and behind their protective vests.

Capt. Kennedy opened the package, which contained two letters and a plastic bag filled with crosses.

The letters introduced Ari and her reason for sending the crosses. They read in part: “I hope my crosses inspire people to pray. … I also hope my crosses protect you. Love, Arianna.”

Chula Vista police Sgt. John Autolino said this is the type of encouragement needed in law enforcement now.

“What we’re all as officers going through as far as the scrutiny of body-worn cameras — we’re not everyone’s favorite hero right now,” he said. “But the reality is we’re normal people who work really hard for a good cause, and it’s comforting to see her supporting us the way she is.”

Autolino, a police officer for 26 years, 10 of them with Chula Vista, keeps the cross from Ari with his police ID.

“It’s a symbol of compassion and understanding and support,” he said.

Ernie Pinedo, an agent with Chula Vista police, said he’s amazed that this young girl would care so much for their safety.

Pinedo, who has with 15 years of law enforcement experience, is Catholic and has worn a saint that his mother had blessed since he was sworn in.

“It gives me a sense of security,” he said of the cross, which he carries in a pocket.

As of Nov. 6, Ari has made 5,572 crosses for officers and firefighters in 84 departments across 30 states, including Alaska, Colorado, Florida and New York.

The farthest her crosses have traveled is to a police department in Sydney, Australia.