Matt Doumato of Ephraim Doumato Jewelers in Greenville is offering a deal to first responders that is nothing less than a ringing endorsement of their service.
Doumato issues free silicone wedding bands to first responders from both Smithfield and Johnston as a way to give back. The bands – which come in solid black or with a thin blue line in the middle – are distributed with safety in mind.
“Obviously they’re in a rough, tough job, and they’re chasing people and climbing fences,” Doumato said during an interview at his business on 425 Putnam Pike last Thursday morning. “Whatever they do, and these things will snap off if they get caught. So I thought it’s a really good idea to give them to them. They do a lot for us. Especially nowadays, they’re just so disrespected.”
Doumato initially began offering the promotion to the Smithfield Police Department after moving to his current location last November. He then called up IBPO Local 307 president and Johnston Police Patrolman Mike Andreozzi, who he has known for almost 15 years, and extended the invitation to his department as well.
“Being the union president, I went to the chief, put it out as an email, and five people have come in so far,” Andreozzi said. “They’ve been coming in periodically, getting bands, guys that are married. A couple of guys that are getting married have come in. And even if you're not married, Matt will supply a ring. Instead of wearing your wedding band, if you spent some money on it which some people have, this comes in to play. You can wear it at the gym, you can wear it every day if you wanted to.”
Doumato said he has heard “horror stories” of wedding bands – especially those made of tungsten and titanium – getting caught while officers are on duty. For example, there have been cases, not solely with police officers, of people losing fingers after their wedding bands were snagged on a fence.
Doumato wants to do his part to alleviate the burden on first responders.
“One guy, I heard, had the skin ripped off,” Doumato said. “Another kid had to have his finger cut off so they could get the ring off and then they sewed his finger back on. One guy just lost his finger. It’s really a safety concern. And they’re free. You come in, it’s free. It’s for all first responders. Just show your ID or whatever, it’s free. Doesn’t matter.”
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