Church leaders met with police in Bakersfield.Friday evening’s quickly arranged event at police headquarters had faith leaders from east and central Bakersfield talking about the impacts of the Dallas sniper shootings that killed five police officers at a protest over police shootings. Pastor Josephate Jordan of Christ First Ministries said the community needs police and would face higher crime without them. David Goh of Garden Community Church downtown noted that Dallas police raced to defend the protestors who were marching in opposition to law enforcement. Oscar J. Anthony of St. Peter’s on East Brundage Lane said police need more training for cultural sensitivity but also expressed support for the police. The meeting consensus was that more communication and cooperation is the only solution.
Sean Michael Lisle