Santa Rosa Police Department Builds Bridges During Faith & Blue Weekend 

The Santa Rosa Police Department proudly participated in the national Faith & Blue Initiative the weekend of October 9–11, 2026, engaging community members across the city in a spirit of unity, understanding, and collaboration.  

Faith & Blue is a nationwide initiative that builds bridges and strengthens bonds with diverse communities by connecting law enforcement, faith leaders, and their communities. The initiative emphasizes mutual respect, trust-building, and shared values, recognizing that houses of worship are uniquely positioned to foster dialogue and connection.  

Throughout the weekend, Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan and a team of officers visited 36 religious services at 22 congregations across the city, connecting with more than 5,000 community members. Participating congregations included Jewish synagogues, a Muslim Mosque, the Sikh temple and Catholic cathedral, along with numerous other Christian and non-denominational congregations. These visits provided meaningful opportunities to engage with community members and address concerns unique to each congregation and its member communities. The conversations build trust and reinforce the Santa Rosa Police Department’s commitment to understanding and supporting the diverse needs of every community across our city.  

Chief John Cregan said, “We are honored to have been welcomed so warmly by so many congregations throughout Santa Rosa. This weekend was a powerful reminder of the strength and diversity of our community and what we can accomplish when we come together. Our officers are part of the community they serve, and building relationships rooted in trust, mutual understanding, and respect is central to our mission. While Faith & Blue provided a special opportunity to connect with our faith-based communities, our commitment to engagement extends to all communities, cultures, and backgrounds throughout Santa Rosa. Throughout the year, we actively participate in a wide variety of community events and opportunities to connect with the people we serve, strengthen relationships, and better understand their unique perspectives and needs. Our goal is to ensure that every person in Santa Rosa feels supported, valued, and comfortable reaching out to their police department. I want all faiths and cultures to know that they can always reach out to the Santa Rosa Police Department for help in a time of need.” 

Mayor Mark Stapp joined our officers on visits to local congregations, and he said, “The Faith and Blue event is a unique opportunity to address critical community issues in spaces where our residents feel safe and able to speak freely. This weekend we addressed issues ranging from immigration enforcement concerns and trust in law enforcement to antisemitism and food insecurity. We also thanked congregations across our city for what they do to make our community stronger through philanthropy and social service provision. It was wonderful to see our police officers forging new ties with community groups. The discussions that began this weekend will have a lasting impact in our community, and I am very proud to have participated.”   

The weekend culminated in a free Faith & Blue BBQ, open to all community members and hosted by The Promise Center, on Sunday evening. Santa Rosa police officers, the K9 team, Drone operators, SWAT team members, and the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team were present to provide demonstrations and engage in conversations with those in attendance. SRPD extends heartfelt thanks to The Promise Center team for their generosity and hospitality and to all the faith-based organizations that welcomed us into their congregations throughout the weekend.  

SRPD remains committed to fostering meaningful relationships with all members of the Santa Rosa community and looks forward to continuing this important work beyond the Faith & Blue weekend. Together, we can continue building a safe, welcoming, and vibrant Santa Rosa for everyone. 

Media inquiries can be directed to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.