DUNDALK – The student council at Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk presented Baltimore County police with a wagon full of snacks the morning of Oct. 9 to thank them for their service in the local community.
Officers had arrived on campus earlier that morning to greet the children as they arrived for classes as part of the National Faith & Blue Weekend – an initiative geared toward bringing law enforcement and communities together.
Baltimore County police reached out to local Catholic churches and other organizations to participate and Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School embraced the opportunity. In addition to the snacks, its students presented the officers with letters, prayers and gifts for their service.
“The Baltimore County Community Outreach division is bonding with faith communities this week,” said School Sister of Notre Dame Irene Pryle, principal of Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School. “We have always bonded with them for a variety of activities and especially for showing our appreciation for their service. This was another opportunity to do it. We are happy to have them.”
As they entered school, students flashed big smiles and bumped elbows with the law enforcement officials. In addition to the police officers, “McGruff the Crime Dog” was available for photos. All the while, everyone wore protective masks that fall under the health guidelines for COVID-19.
The National Faith & Blue Weekend is an extension of the One Congregation One Precinct initiative, a program of MovementForward, Inc., a civil rights organization based in Atlanta. The OneCOP initiative pairs together officers at the beat or precinct level with local houses of worship.
Allegations of police brutality and protests of such have been in the news in recent months.
Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa R. Hyatt said it’s vital for law enforcement to show support for local communities. Their presence at the schools is also reassuring to parents to know their children are safe. Hyatt said it’s important for children to understand they can turn to law enforcement for help and that the police are “their friends” and can be trusted.
“We love events like this,” Hyatt said. “This the first National Faith & Blue Weekend so it’s really exciting to be a part of this. But really any opportunity that we have any day to get out into the community, especially to be around a group of kids and to spend that time with them while they are starting their day and getting ready for school, is just wonderful for engagement for us.
“We want them to know that when they need us they shouldn’t feel intimidated to come see us. If they need help, we’re the ones — the people in this uniform … we want them to come to us.”
Denise Ball, associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Catholic Schools, said that it’s beneficial to see the law enforcement in action and engaged with their local communities. It’s also an opportunity for the students to thank the police for their service.
Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School has 235 students on site and 42 who are learning virtually.
“Given the age of the children pre-K through eighth grade, it’s a wonderful opportunity to see the partnership and collaboration with our community leaders and those who serve for protection,” Ball said.
“We cannot share the good enough. That’s what we’re all about, sharing the Gospels of Jesus Christ. We’re all about collaboration and sharing the good. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to recognize the service, and for the law enforcement to see the grateful hearts of our community.”
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