Police, faith leaders come together to support law enforcement - Yahoo News
Oct. 10—EFFINGHAM — Dozens of local and state police officers joined forces with area churches Saturday to send a message in support of law enforcement and public safety.
The Crossroads Faith & Blue Vigil brought out citizens and police officers from Effingham, Teutopolis, Altamont, Illinois State Police and Illinois Secretary of State's Police, as well as area faith leaders from churches including Sacred Heart, St. Anthony and St. John's Lutheran. The event is one of hundreds to be held across the nation as part of the "Faith & Blue" initiative, designed to bring police, religious groups and communities together to show support for law enforcement.
Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland said the event was a response to people attempting to "demonize" police and law enforcement over the course of the past year. He felt the relationship between the public and police had been distorted in the media to the point that law enforcement was painted as the villain in many cases.
"With this occurring in the background, voices of reason were unheard from the shouts of the crowd — the shouts of 'defund the police,' the shouts of 'abolish the police' (and) the shouts of 'ban the police.'" McFarland said. "However, a few voices were heard. The voices started faintly and quietly (and) they became louder and louder until people had to take notice."
McFarland believed the event showed a united front for law enforcement and public safety, with many community members wearing blue T-shirts to show their support for their local police department.
"Here today I submit to you: We are not divided. We are united," McFarland said. "We stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, to make this community prosperous and safe."
McFarland's feelings about the event and its motivation were shared by law enforcement officials in the county and the state. Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns said the event gave members of the public a chance to see law enforcement officers as members of the community, neighbors for whom they share a common bond.
source: https://news.yahoo.com/police-faith-leaders-come-together-035900705.html
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