New COMBAT Logo

COMBAT Logo
Symbolizing Community, Collaboration & Hope

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021

Notice something different about our website?

In designing the new COMBAT logo, we wanted to put the emphasis on the Community in the Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax. Without Community backing there would be no COMBAT. For any effort to reduce violence and drug abuse to successfully work, the community must be willing to put in the hard work necessary for it to succeed.

We went through literally dozens of design concepts before choosing this new logo, with the COMBAT Commission’s unanimous approval. The yellow, red, green and blue hands symbolize how essential it is for there to be collaboration among COMBAT’s various partners—from social service agencies and school districts to local police departments and health care professionals. I believe only in coming together can we really move forward.

Replacing The Clinched Fist

This new logo has been years in the making. We needed to move on from the past—and replace a clinched fist with helping hands.

When COMBAT was first launched more than 30 years ago, the original logo was very much a reflection of the notorious “WAR ON DRUGS” era. It prominently featured the clinched fist. Signs featuring that logo definitely sent a heavy-handed message. They were essentially BEWARE warnings.

COMBAT Director Vince Ortega
 COMBAT Director Vince Ortega

The introduction of our new logo represents not the end of our attempts to raise awareness but just the beginning. We moved on from the clinched fist a long time ago. We have been and will continue to call on the community to join us in seeking to fulfill COMBAT’s anti-violence/anti-drug mission: all hands in.

From BEWARE To Be AWARE

Today, we want people to be AWARE. Be aware of the changes we’ve been making to the COMBAT program and in the community. Be aware that COMBAT isn’t just accepting and approving grants for anti-crime funds, but is truly being a partner in doing everything possible to address violence and drug abuse holistically. We can’t hope to reduce either if we neglect to focus on the underlying causes.

Designing this new logo was very much a collaborative effort. We conducted focus groups with our STRIVIN’ partners and sought input through surveys. A couple of the survey questions focused on words and images associated with COMBAT. The responses we received are, I believe, well represented in the final design, including “community,” “hope,” “helping hands” and “healing hands.”

The introduction of our new logo represents not the end of our attempts to raise awareness but just the beginning. We moved on from the clinched fist a long time ago. We have been and will continue to call on the community to join us in seeking to fulfill COMBAT’s anti-violence/anti-drug mission: all hands in.