The Knoxville Police Department will partner with numerous local faith-based organizations for Faith & Blue Weekend 2024, which is set to be celebrated nationally October 11-14.
In recognition of Faith & Blue Weekend 2024, the KPD will take part in six separate events across the City through the end of October. Each of the department’s Field Operations Bureaus are hosting individual events, while the Investigations Bureau and Management Services Bureau are participating in events or initiatives.
The Faith & Blue events are designed to enhance the police-community bond by fostering new community partnerships and strengthening existing relationships.
Below is the list of upcoming Faith & Blue events and initiatives.
Friday, October 11, 2024
The Management Services Bureau is partnering with Callahan Road Baptist Church at 1317 Callahan Drive for an item drive to support the Newport, Tennessee community, which was devastated by historic flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Monday, October 14, 2024
In partnership with the Alliance for Community Transformation, the Field Operations East District will host an “Ice Cream Social” at the Jacob Building at 3301 E. Magnolia Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The event will include local entertainment as well as area resource and service providers.
Additionally, the Field Operations Central District will host a “Touch-a-Truck” event from 6-8 p.m. at Meridian Baptist Church, located at 6513 Chapman Highway. The event will include police, fire and other City vehicles for families to explore while interacting with members of those departments.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
The Investigations Bureau will host a special Halloween-themed event for kids at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at 2137 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue from 6-8 p.m. The event will include a mystery game for kids, candy and a cookout.
Thursday, October 17, 2024
For the second year in a row, the KPD will host a blessing of the department’s K-9s at Immaculate Conception Church on W. Vine Avenue. The blessing will be held at 9:30 a.m. outside of the front entrance of the church.
Friday, October 25, 2024
First Apostolic Church at 5020 Pleasant Ridge Road will host a trunk-or-treat event with representatives from the Field Operations West District in attendance. The event will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Community members and families are invited to attend or participate in any of this year’s Faith & Blue events.
“Last year’s Faith & Blue events were a huge success, and we are looking to top it this year,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “We value our community partnerships deeply, and Faith & Blue is an amazing opportunity for us to strengthen our connections in Knoxville.”
About Faith & Blue
Faith & Blue was launched to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by directly enabling local partnerships among law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through the connections of local faith-based organizations.
The initiative aims to re-calibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially distanced and/or virtual activities that are organized jointly by faith-based or other community groups and law enforcement agencies.
Visit https://faithandblue.org/ for more information.
