BLIA North Carolina Participates in Raleigh Police Community Day to Strengthen Police–Community Relations
- FGS NC
- Sep 13
- 3 min read
[Reported by Hai Kuo, North Carolina, USA]
On September 13, 2025, the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter, led by President May Shiue, Vice President Gee Chia, chapter members, and BLIA Young Adult Division North Carolina members, joined the Raleigh Police Department’s Faith, Family & Fellowship Community Day at Worthdale Community Center in Raleigh. The event drew about a hundred local residents and families, creating a warm and festive weekend atmosphere.
The day featured a variety of activities, including lawn games, arts and crafts, face painting, food booths, and prize raffles. The police also showcased their professional equipment and hosted an interactive Touch-a-Truck experience, giving residents a chance to explore police vehicles and better understand law enforcement work. Alongside BLIA members, representatives from several local churches and faith groups—many of whom are part of I-CARE (Interfaith Community Ambassadors for Responsive Engagement)—actively participated, reflecting a spirit of interfaith respect and cooperation.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce emphasized in his remarks that community engagement is central to the department’s mission. He noted that effective policing depends on the trust and support of residents, and that ongoing partnerships with faith groups and community organizations help maintain public safety and strengthen neighborhood bonds. He thanked the community for their strong participation, noting its positive impact on lowering crime rates and increasing civic involvement.
Major Eric Goodwin explained in an interview that I-CARE organizes two to three Faith and Family events each year to bring together diverse religious communities, strengthen connections, and foster trust. He highlighted BLIA North Carolina as an active member of I-CARE, contributing to interfaith dialogue and collaboration, and expressed hope for more gatherings of this kind in the future.
At the event, BLIA North Carolina hosted an information booth that attracted both officers and residents. Through a fun “Spin-the-Wheel” quiz game, visitors learned about Fo Guang Shan’s Four Objectives and the association’s community activities, with small prizes for correct answers. Major Renae Lockhart of the Raleigh Police praised the booth as “inspiring and educational,” sharing that he was especially moved by the Three Acts of Goodness—Do good deeds, speak good words, and think good thoughts. He was also introduced to the practice of tea meditation—observing steam rising from tea, mindfully breathing in its fragrance, and savoring the present moment. Rosie, a Christian resident planning to move to Raleigh next year, praised BLIA’s display boards and posters for being visually engaging and easy to understand, which helped her appreciate the association’s mission and services.
BLIA YAD North Carolina members also enjoyed lively exchanges with police officers, even climbing aboard a bulletproof armored vehicle for photos. BLIA YAD North Carolina member Betty Liu shared that it was her first time participating and that she gained new insights from the face-to-face interactions with police. She was impressed by the chief and officers’ warmth, felt motivated by serving alongside her fellow members, and expressed eagerness to take part again in the future.
