It was a bright and sunny October Friday in Downtown Detroit, as the attendees gathered at Central Michigan University’s Detroit office, located just steps away from Campus Martius Park. It was the perfect day for the Fourth Annual Faith & Blue Breakfast, hosted by the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) in collaboration with the Detroit Police Department (DPD).
The annual event brings together faith leaders, the community, and local safety officers to strengthen collaboration and unity among the groups.
Representatives from Mariner’s Church, 15th Street Block Club, Vanguard Community Development Corporation, and Central Michigan University were all in attendance. Along with DDP staff and Downtown Detroit BIZ Ambassadors.
DDP CEO Eric B. Larson welcomed guests and reiterated the importance of collaboration and communication among the groups present and otherwise. Larson also attributed the success of the growth and movement of the Downtown community to the continued refinement of these partnerships and beyond.
Commander Chaplain Michael Cadotte shared an opening prayer and informed the audience that the gathering is part of the national Faith & Blue event, which merges community, faith leaders and safety community members. The Faith & Blue Breakfast also kicked off a variety of weekend long events.
Commander Cadotte is one of 70 DPD Chaplains throughout that city, each of whom are assigned to specific precincts, crime scenes, and serve as a bridge between the community and DPD.
DDP’s Chief Community Impact Officer and Downtown Detroit BIZ Director, Gina Cavaliere acknowledged the arduous work of the BIZ Ambassadors that were in attendance and emphasized Project Lighthouse as a resource that connects the community, law enforcement, and faith-based organizations.
Detroit Police Department’s Commander Matthew Fulgenzi shared the importance of continuing to work towards community, faith, and partnership collaboratively. He also shared that property crime is down 12 percent in the Downtown area, and overall crime in the Third Precinct is reduced by 10 percent. He also emphasized that the partnership between faith-based organizations, DDP, and the safety community is working.
Over the recent years, the DPD unveiled its mental health response unit, which they plan to expand further.
The DPD Third Precinct presented DDP with a Certificate of Appreciation for the organization’s ongoing partnership and commitment to convening and collaborating faith and law enforcement groups.
The event closed with a prayer and attendees were encouraged to support the Third Precinct Presents… Cars, Motorcycles and Coat Drives fundraiser, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 19.
