BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield Police Department and community members met to bridge the gap of distrust in the Black and Latino communities.
“Why wasn’t that situation deescalated?” said one member of the community to police, asking why when some community members are stopped and ask for a supervisor it does not happen to deescalate the situation. “If a community member asks for a supervisor, I expect one to come to the scene,” said Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry in response to his question.
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Oscar Anthony, pastor of St. Peter Restoration Community Christian Ministry where the meeting was held, said the relationship between police and certain communities in specific areas has become hostile and must be reconciled.
“There is a different culture in our community,” Anthony said. “It’s hostile towards law enforcement and those who are law enforcement are afraid to come into this community.”
The event organizer, Walter Williams, said reconciliation can’t occur until more people show up and voice what they want to change.