Between Oct. 6 and 9, the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) is participating in Faith and Blue, a national initiative launched in 2020 to facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities by connecting law enforcement professionals, residents, businesses and community groups through local faith-based organizations.
KPD Field Operation districts (East, West and Central) are hosting events or initiatives, as well as the Investigations Bureau, Management Services Bureau and Professional Standards Bureau.
* West District is collecting essentials, basic hygiene items, which will be donated to the Western Heights Baptist Center to support vulnerable, needy residents in the Western Heights area.
* Central District is sponsoring a blessing of the department’s K-9s on Friday, Oct. 6, at Immaculate Conception Church. In conjunction with that, they are collecting essential items to support the animals in the care of the Young-Williams Animal Center.
* East District will host an ice cream social on Monday, Oct. 9, from 6-8 p.m. at the Christenberry Community Center on Oglewood Ave. The event was jointly organized by the KPD and the Alliance for Community Transformation.
* KPD’s Management Services and Professional Standards Bureaus are partnering to collect clothing items for teenage children to support the Isaiah 117 House, which temporarily houses children who are removed from their homes due to safety concerns. Items collected will be donated to Isaiah 117 House at their new location on Mill Road on Monday, Oct. 9.
* The Investigations Bureau is partnering with Foster Chapel Baptist Church to support the Wesley House Community Center, which serves the Mechanicsville, Lonsdale and Beaumont communities. Food items will be collected for the Wesley House food pantry, which will culminate with an event at the Wesley House.
Residents wishing to contribute to these causes can drop off donations with the Telserve Unit on the first floor of the Public Safety Complex, 1650 Huron St.
For more information, visit KPD’s blog on the City’s website.
