National Faith And Blue Weekend Recognizes Hiram Police

HIRAM, GA — The Hiram Police Department earned recognition for its community engagement efforts and policing during its inaugural Faith & Blue weekend events, which brought together multiple law enforcement agencies, business owners, faith leaders and Paulding County residents.

The national Faith & Blue initiative was launched this year to "facilitate safer, stronger, more just and unified communities" and aimed to "recalibrate police-community relations through solutions-focused, in-person, socially-distanced and/or virtual activities" organized by faith-based groups and law enforcement agencies.

Faith & Blue was designed as an extension of the One Congregation One Precinct initiative (OneCOP), a program of MovementForward, Inc., an Atlanta-based human and civil rights organization. The OneCOP program pairs officers at the beat or precinct level with local houses of worship.

"Even in our small community, suicides and suicide attempts are moving up as one of the priority calls. When I look at Faith and Blue, and any of our community outreach programs, what we’re starting to see is a desperate sense of hopelessness that needs to be addressed," HPD Chief Michael Turner said in a spotlight discussion with Faith & Blue Executive Director Jared Feuer. "All people are being told is you shouldn’t like this person for whatever reason, yet all people want is hope ... And I think for at least a weekend, we can try to provide some sense of normalcy."

According to Faith & Blue, Hiram police were spotlighted for the department's "outstanding plans" for the weekend and its community engagement efforts.

Hiram police and other Paulding law enforcement agencies — including Paulding County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol and Dallas Police Department — celebrated Faith & Blue weekend Oct. 8-11 with a kick-off rally at the Veteran's Memorial in Dallas, a tailgating rally at Hiram High School, a bike ride through the city of Hiram, a free food giveaway, a cornhole tournament and Sunday morning prayer. Law enforcement officers also enjoyed free lunch at The Rosenwald School, a free BBQ and free car washes.

Cliff McGrady, a pastor and Hiram's zoning administrator/project manager, called the weekend a "grand success." To view the full transcription of the spotlight on the Hiram Police Department, visit Faith & Blue's website.