ISP Co-Hosts Faith And Blue Events Around The State

Springfield, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Police and faith leaders from around the State unite to improve communities

The Illinois State Police (ISP) is proud to announce that it is co-hosting Faith & Blue events around the state this weekend, October 6-9, 2023.

Faith & Blue is a nationwide initiative, built on the simple premise that the relationship between law enforcement and the community must be reinforced in order to bring about safer and stronger communities.  Faith-based organizations, also the largest community resource, play a key and integral role in this initiative, by serving as the bridge between law enforcement and the community. The overall goal of the initiative aims to reinforce police-community relations through various community-based activities hosted by faith-based organizations and law enforcement agencies. It is the shared belief that communities are stronger and safer when residents and law enforcement professionals can relate as ordinary people with shared values, hopes, and dreams.

“Faith is what people praise in the good times and seek in the turbulent times. We can’t allow to people lose faith in their communities and the people serving them,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP is honored to be a part of these statewide events this weekend and we will continue to work with our community-partners throughout the year to keep our communities safe.”

ISP is co-hosting several Faith & Blue community engagement events throughout Illinois this weekend. The public is encouraged to attend and meet with local officers and faith leaders in their area. Activities vary by location, but many include games, food, and safety education.

October 7, 2023 Events:        

• Maranatha Church, 555 W. Imboden Drive, Decatur                                    9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Bunn Field, 1300 E. Division Street, Springfield                                          10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

October 8, 2023 Events:

• Evergreen Christian Church, 1875 North Broadway, Salem                         9 am – 11 am
• Grand Avenue Christian Church, 1305 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale             9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
• Cornerstone Church, 2705 Walton Way, Marion                                           9:15 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• The Spark Ministries, 40842 Illinois 3, McClure                                           9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Power of Change Christian Center, 2348 Jerome Lane, Cahokia Heights            1 p.m. – 3p.m.
• Christ Tabernacle Church, 845 N. Central Ave., Chicago                             3 pm. – 5 p.m.
• Abiding Word Church, 801 E. Lynn Blvd., Sterling                                      10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

October 9, 2023 Events:

• First Presbyterian Church, 325 E. Downer Place, Aurora                              3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Christian Activity Center, 540 N. 67^th Street, East St. Louis                         1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.