By Suzie Ziegler
A joint community outreach program between law enforcement and religious communities, called the National Faith & Blue Weekend, is set to kick off next month. The inaugural weekend will run from October 9 to 11.
The new initiative, spearheaded by religious and police leaders, aims to connect law enforcement officers with the communities they serve through local houses of worship, according to a release. The weekend is a national expansion of the One Congregation One Precinct initiative (OneCOP) based in Atlanta, which pairs officers with local houses of worship.
Agencies and faith-based communities can learn more about the weekend and how to host an event at faithandblue.org. Suggested events include concerts, barbecues or picnics, community dialogue, book discussion, parades, athletic events, vigils and more. Interested parties can submit an event for the weekend through an online form.
Faith & Blue CEO Rev. Markel Hutchins is leading the effort in what the organization says will be “the most collaborative police-community engagement project in recent history,” event organizers wrote in an email. Law enforcement organizations involved with the effort include the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association, among others.
“In light of recent protests and violence in DC this week and sustained activities in cities throughout the nation, Rev. Markel Hutchins is calling on a unified public appeal for collaboration, participation, listening, healing, and reconciliation across the country,” organizers said.
National Faith & Blue Weekend is sponsored by FirstNet Built with AT&T along with the Motorola Solutions Foundation and Wrap Technologies.
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