PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Blue ribbons are popping up on trees, mailboxes and utility poles in and around Plattsburgh as part of a grassroots effort to show support for the many the many law-enforcement personnel manning roadblocks and combing the area for escaped killers David Sweat and Richard Matt. 

Blue balloons and a huge blue bow adorn the “Breakfast served all day” sign in front of Michigans Plus in Plattsburgh.

“Come help us support with blue ribbons!” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page. “We have enough for everyone!”

Lexie Fortin, a supervisor at the Michael’s craft store just down the street from the restaurant, cleaned out the store’s stock of blue ribbon for the restaurant, which is cutting off sections for anyone wants to join in the show of solidarity.

And many people are—so many the restaurant could soon run out of its supply before a new shipment arrives. 

If they do, “I’ll just have to go on a scavenger hunt to find more,” Fortin said. 

A multi-agency force of about 800 officers is involved in the search, with Plattsburgh the focus in recent days.

A section of Route 374 remains closed today as searchers saturate an area in Cadyville.

A door-to-door check of houses is being performed today, said State Police Troop D Public Information Officer Jack Keller.

People have been told to expect an increase in what is already a heavy police presence.

Matt and Sweat used power tools, over time, to cut a hole in the back of their adjacent Dannemora prison cells. On June 6, they went through the holes, climbed down a six-story catwalk in the innards of the maximum-security prison, busted through a wall, cut through a steam pipe, shimmied to a manhole and cut the lock that held it in place. They climbed out to freedom on Bouck Street, a couple of blocks from the prison.

Moore and Clermont write for the Press-Republican in Plattsburgh, N.Y.