The Detroit Police Department’s Fifth precinct is taking an unconventional approach to community engagement by offering crochet classes to the public.

The east side precinct recently opened its doors to the community to teach the craft, holding its first class on a rainy night in early December.

Detroit Police Officer Deanna Merriweather, who came up with the idea, said that initially her proposition was met with questions from community members asking why a police precinct would venture into the world of crochet.

The Fifth Precinct had been experimenting with various community-focused events, from Keno nights to bike rides with neighborhood officers. However, the crochet class marked a unique turn in their community outreach efforts.

For Merriweather, the choice was personal. A left-handed crocheter from Philadelphia, she mastered the craft and was enthusiastic about teaching it to others. Her suggestion to host a crochet class stemmed from a desire to share a skill that brought her comfort since childhood.

“It’s near and dear to me. I’ve literally taught myself how to do crochet and knitting when I was in seventh grade,” she told Model D, a local online magazine.

The inaugural crochet night exceeded expectations, drawing a diverse group, primarily composed of senior women, to the community room inside the precinct.

Whether they were there to brush up on old skills or to connect with fellow enthusiasts, participants found a welcoming space. Many shared stories of learning to crochet as young girls and now using the craft to create meaningful items for themselves or pass down the art to their grandchildren.

“It’s a dream and a goal to make this work because I just love to be able to get people together to learn new skills,” Merriweather said. “This is a skill that can take you far.”

Reflecting on the success of the first gathering, Merriweather aims to make crochet nights a regular occurrence, at least twice a month.
She envisions these events as more than just opportunities to learn a craft; they are moments of connection, skill-sharing and community building.

“When it comes to crocheting, it’s something you need to practice until you get it down,” Merriweather noted with enthusiasm. “Honestly, you can do this in your sleep.”

In a city with a rich history of creativity and innovation, Merriweather and the 5th Precinct are weaving a new thread into the fabric of community engagement—one that brings people together through the art of crochet, turning knots into connections and fostering a sense of unity.