MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Police Department will join with local churches Friday at Lions Field to mark National Faith & Blue Weekend, according to an announcement from the MLPD. 

“We’re tailgating at the football game to provide an opportunity for community outreach and engaging with people,” said MLPD Capt. Jeff Sursely. 

The event is part of a nationwide Faith & Blue Weekend, which brings police agencies and faith-based organizations together in thousands of communities across the country. More than 1,400 Faith & Blue events are planned nationwide, according to the organization’s website. 

The event began four years ago in Atlanta as an outreach of the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services at the U.S. Justice Department, according to the website. 

“Where there is … crime, a lot of times those faith-based organizations are the places where officers can go to be with those communities that they don’t get to see very often,” Sursely said. 

This is the MLPD’s third year participating, Sursely said. Churches partnering with the MLPD include Restore City Church, First Baptist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Moses Lake Bible Church and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, according to Faith & Blue’s website. 

Friday’s event will be in the parking lot at Lions Field before the Moses Lake High School football game against Post Falls. Churches will grill hot dogs and there will be face painting and games for the whole family, Sursely said. 

“The whole idea is to bring together the community in a very relaxed environment, to open up communication, enjoy each other’s company,” he said. 

    An attendee at last year’s Faith & Blue event sits still for some face paint. Face painting will be a part of this year’s tailgate as well, which is Friday.