The Cedartown Police Department is partnering with local churches in an effort to build upon relationships in the community and provide some family fun in the process for all during an upcoming event at the Bert Wood Youth and Athletic Center in October.

Mark the calendar for Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. as the park plays host for free food, games for youth and car seat checks throughout the midday event, along with the opportunity to meet and greet with officers outside of when the public usually encounters them in uniform.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said the goal of the event is to further foster the ties between the community and his department and show that his officers are just like everyone else in the community.

“This is an opportunity for citizens to see and encounter police officers in a non-enforcement environment, as we all see each other as members of the Cedartown and Polk County community,” Newsome said.

Churches partnering in the effort include Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church and the First Baptist Church of Cedartown. Newsome said that departments statewide are taking up similar events to connect local departments more with the community as an effort pushed by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.

“The Cedartown Police Department, I feel, has a good relationship with all our various communities but it is always subject to improvement, so seeing each other in our street clothes when there’s not been a problem and to get together and have a good time fosters relationships and builds trust,” Newsome said.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.