Stockton Has Candid Conversation On Community Policing
STOCKTON (CBS13) – Candid conversations took place in Stockton Saturday addressing three main topics: culture, race relations and crime.
The talks, held at Quail Lakes Baptist Church, were all in effort to build safer streets and a stronger relationship between the police department and the community.
It was a different kind of sermon.
"Everyone seems to have put their thinking caps on today, came out speaking with honesty," said Stockton Councilmember Dan Wright.
The community advisory board for the Stockton Police Department led discussions on race and culture and how the community can come together and work hand in hand with officers to reduce crime.
"We started with how do we decrease conflict in the community to how do we build a community outside the level of police officers," said Lt. Ivan Rose with the Stockton Police Department.
Throughout the morning, the conversations were raw as people shared stories about their experiences.
Organizers said this level of outreach is important.
"We have a lot of people here today, but there could be more," Rose said.
It was the first of several community forums expected to be held in Stockton this year.