CHARLESTON, W.Va. — License plates in West Virginia supporting law enforcement will now be readily seen on the roads.
January 1 marked the date that the new “Back the Blue” plates would be available at the DMV. Applications on the plates have been open for some time.
Mike Stuart, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, told MetroNews the plates were proposed by him a year and a half ago at a victim’s rights gathering to honor those law enforcement and victims of violent crimes.
“This is just a great statement from those folks who get the specialty license plate to show support for law enforcement,” Stuart said. “We appreciate the rule of law and we appreciate what they do in the dark of night and the danger they place themselves in for our safety.”
The look of the plates was unveiled by the West Virginia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police in November. They have dark blue tops and bottoms with the state on left made from an American flag.
The plate available for purchase became official when House Bill 2846 was signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice last session.
Stuart expects hundreds to be purchased and law enforcement to get a boost from them.
“As law enforcement travels around, they will see those license plates and I think it will inspire them even more to the dedication they have to the jobs that they perform,” Stuart said.
Funds collected for extra payment for the plates currently go to the state’s road funding, per the state’s constitution. Legislators and Stuart have said they will work to amend that part of the constitution to direct funding from the platers to law enforcement agencies around the state.
Stuart also said he wants proceeds to benefit families of those who serve, who also make tremendous sacrifices.
“Their families live under that stress,” Stuart said. “Anytime a loved one leaves for work in the morning, they are hoping and praying they come home at the end of that day. The uncertainties of being in law enforcement, it’s hard to describe the real pressure they operate under.”