Inaugural 'National Faith and Blue Weekend Event' hopes to improve police, community relationship

Nassau County tried to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community this weekend.

News 12 Staff

Oct 11, 2020, 6:37 PM

Updated 1,435 days ago

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Nassau County tried to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the community this weekend.
Members of the police department and County Executive Laura Curran gathered at the El Tabernaculo de Gozo church in East Meadow for the county's first-ever 'National Faith and Blue Weekend Event."
Organizers of the event hope that using houses of worship will help foster meaningful relationships.
"The goal is to always continue to build trust within the community and the police and this really accomplishes that," Curran says. "You can hear the music, there are little kids and you know there's a lot to talk about."
The event comes after several months of protests over several officer-involved killings and shootings across the country.
Events were held in Suffolk as well over the past few days.
Suffolk police say the aim is to create safer, more inclusive communities by connecting law enforcement officers and the residents they protect and serve. Each of the department's seven precincts are partnering with a religious institution and to offer a variety of activities including a unity walk, art festivals, food drives, community service projects and roundtable discussions with clergy, News 12 is told.
"Community trust and support is key to the continued success of the Suffolk County Police Department," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a statement. "National Faith & Blue Weekend provides yet another line of direct communication and ensures an open line of dialogue between the department and the community is serves."
"The department continues to take steps forward in building stronger relationships with our community members," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said in a statement. "I am looking forward to participating in these events and hearing the public's perceptions of and feelings about the police department. It is imperative that we have the support of our communities to continue to be successful and I believe partnering with our faith-based groups will help build better trust and respect for one another."