Violence and hatred towards police officers is at an all-time high.

However, in Manatee County, some of our youngest citizens are thanking the cops who help clean up their communities by writing them letters.

Wednesday, the officers met some of those kids.

The area around the 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton is considered a high crime community.

“You get a range of crime anywhere from homicide to home invasions, narcotic activity things of that nature,” said BPD Patrol Officer Anthony Ramdath.

In recent years, due to an increase in officer patrols in the area it’s becoming safer.

“Just patrol certain areas drive through apartment complexes talk to people who are walking around late at night.” said Patrol Officer Emily Parsons.

Now their hard work is being recognized by over 20 Manatee Elementary School students who live near the area. They wrote letters thanking the officers.

The Bradenton Police officers were so touched, they wanted to meet some of the kids who wrote them.

"Thank you for the things you have done for us and for the community."
- Roodgena Altidor

"Thank you for patrolling our roads so I am safe."
- Susan Redman

"Thank you for keeping people safe at auto accidents and making sure people follow the law."
- Jesus Valerio

"Thank you for things you do everyday. You keep us safe in our community, making sure people who are dangerous can't hurt us."
- Stanphon Collins

"Thank you for keeping us safe from all those dangerous things out there."
- Mauricio

"I am so glad that you are here to help us and thank you for keeping our community safe."
- Joselyn

"It takes courage to be a cop. It's tough to catch bad guys. Thank you for helping us stay safe.
- Adriana

"You're my hero and you're tough. Thank you for keeping our city safe and arresting robbers."
- Claudette C.

Larry Nembhard, 9, said cops keep his neighborhood safe.

“When something bad happens, they come around and see what’s happening and arrest people for what they did,” he said.

Natali Gomez, 8, wrote about how she feels they protect her.

“Thank you for saving peoples lives and my live and my families lives."

And 8-year-old Alexis Vazquez admires their strength.

“They have a lot of courage and braver,” Alexis said.

For the officers, these words make their job even more rewarding.

“To see that they actually took time out of their day to write us letters, it really meant a lot. And to see them and meet them and shake their hands was really cool,” said patrol officer Todd Freed.

If you would like to read the letters, they are hanging inside the Bradenton Police Station.