Community Supports Police Departments In Aftermath Of Shootings
DENVER (CBS4)- Since the shooting that killed five officers in Dallas, police departments across the Denver metro area have been getting calls and comments of support on their social media sites.
A 4-year-old and his mom brought flowers and a card to officers in Arvada.
Lakewood police received cupcakes from a woman expressing her thanks.
Members of the Denver-area community were coming together at various gatherings on Friday.
The Denver Christian Bible Church was preparing for a public prayer gathering on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The church is located on Iowa Avenue and Cherry Street in Denver.
The church pastor said the goal for the gathering was to bring people together in the midst of division.
"Enough is enough," said community members who gathered on the steps of the state Capitol building in Denver.
Religious and civil rights leaders asked for police reform, in the wake of the two men shot and killed by police officers earlier in the week.
"This is not something that's new. And I think that's why it hurts so much," said Javon Brame of the deadly shootings.
Police officers were also in mourning with the loss of five of their own.
"It's important for our officers to be able to look at the community and not connect them with what happened (in Dallas)," said Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz.
Metz said the department would continue its outreach efforts to improve relationships between police and the community.
Metz said the week of violence had stirred up emotions within the community, and that the department had its doors open for dialogue.
"Communication is the one thing that's always the common denominator. If there's a breakdown in communication, there's going to be a breakdown in trust, there's going to be a breakdown in partnership," Metz said.
Metz said a partnership between citizens and police was vital in fighting crime.
Aurora police community relations initiatives include a Teen Academy to help youth build trust with officers.
Another program, Key Community Response Team trains volunteers to mediate during times of civil disorder.
Metz said that officers also partake in individual outreach – connecting with clergy, educators, and businesses to create better interactions between officers and the people they serve.
He said that the department had been focusing strongly on getting patrol officers out of their cars and interacting more with citizens.
"Getting them to get out, visit the churches, visit the schools, walk the streets, go into the businesses," Metz said. "And I'm hearing lots of good feedback from our community about that."
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
