NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Police Chief Steve Drew visited a church in the East End neighborhood on Sunday as part of an effort to build connections between police and places of faith.
The Newport News Police Department is joining others across the country for National Faith & Blue weekend.
The organization's website says the mission "facilitates safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations."
On Sunday, Chief Drew spoke to just over a dozen members of Calvary Seventh-Day Adventist Church on 17th Street, touching on everything from information about the department to the police chaplain program. He also answered questions and concerns of those who came out.
Initially, only a few attended the conversation, but more came out as Drew and his police chaplain Saundra Cherry spoke.
“I think it’s important to be consistent. I may even after this just take a walk out in the community, see some kids outside playing, interact with some individuals. That’s what it’s all about," the chief told News 3. "The size of the room? I’d love to see it filled, but if it’s not, then we will talk to whoever is here.”
Church Pastor DuWayne Privette says the chief's efforts to be visible make a difference for his congregation.
“We have a number of different issues, complications that we have, especially with the Black community. It’s just good for the police now to be able to listen to the community and for the community to hear what the police departments have to say," said Privette.
The East End neighborhood is a community that's seen its fair share of crime over the years. Less than two weeks prior, police say a man was shot and killed a mile and a half away on 36th Street.
The hope this weekend is that a place of faith may be able to help bridge gaps between police and the communities they serve, ultimately helping address crime and other issues.
“If it’s safe, then people feel safe to come outside into the community and they feel safe coming to church. If it’s not safe, then it affects our church attendance and it affects those who want to stay in the community," said Pastor Privette.
Chief Drew is planning to finish out Faith & Blue weekend Monday night at Restoration Christian Church on Denbigh Boulevard. The conversation begins at 7 p.m.
News 3's Leondra Head caught up with Chief Drew at Monday night's Faith & Blue at the Church of Restoration.
"The faith and blue initiative started a couple of years ago. It’s the faith leaders and the important role they play and taking the police and working together. It doesn’t take long for a police chief to realize how important it is to be connected and work with the faith based community," Chief Drew said. Drew went on to say "Sometimes, citizens will talk more openly to faith based leaders and having that partnership goes a long way."
