The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) has announced its participation in Faith & Blue Weekend 2024, scheduled to take place nationally from October 11-14. This initiative, organized in collaboration with local faith-based organizations, aims to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the community through a series of events across Knoxville.
KPD will host six events throughout the city, each organized by different departments within the police force. These events are part of an effort to build new community partnerships and reinforce existing ones.
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The schedule of events for Faith & Blue Weekend 2024 is as follows:
– **Friday, October 11, 2024**: The Management Services Bureau will team up with Callahan Road Baptist Church to conduct an item drive supporting the Newport, Tennessee community, which was severely affected by Hurricane Helene’s flooding.
– **Monday, October 14, 2024**: The Field Operations East District, in cooperation with the Alliance for Community Transformation, will host an “Ice Cream Social” at the Jacob Building. Additionally, the Field Operations Central District will have a “Touch-a-Truck” event at Meridian Baptist Church, featuring police, fire, and city vehicles for families to explore.
– **Wednesday, October 16, 2024**: The Investigations Bureau will organize a Halloween-themed event for children at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, featuring a mystery game, candy, and a cookout.
– **Thursday, October 17, 2024**: A blessing ceremony for KPD’s K-9s will take place at Immaculate Conception Church, marking the second consecutive year of this event.
– **Friday, October 25, 2024**: A trunk-or-treat event will be held at First Apostolic Church, with participation from the Field Operations West District.
Community members and families are encouraged to join these events, which offer opportunities for engagement and connection with local law enforcement.
Chief of Police Paul Noel expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming events, noting the success of last year’s initiatives and the potential for even greater community involvement this year. He emphasized the importance of community partnerships and the role Faith & Blue plays in enhancing these relationships in Knoxville.
Faith & Blue was established to create safer and more unified communities by fostering partnerships between law enforcement and residents, businesses, and community groups through faith-based organizations. The initiative focuses on solutions-oriented activities, both in-person and virtual, to improve police-community relations.
For more information on Faith & Blue, visit the [Faith & Blue website](https://www.faithandblue.org).
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