NEWPORT NEWS – Law enforcement officers and religious leaders worked hand-in-hand Tuesday in an effort to fight crime in Newport News.
Though there is still plenty of activity to keep police officers busy, violent crimes in the city were down last year and authorities want to build off that momentum.
40 places of worship were represented Tuesday at the Faith-based Partnership Workshop.
One of the main messages conveyed by the police department was that religious leaders are very important people of Newport News and the city’s future.
"Everybody is doing their own thing. How much stronger could we be if we were all working together with the same message, helping each other with various programs?" asked police chief James Fox.
The police department preached a sermon of sorts, saying that if they work together, it will not only make their communities safer, but more prosperous.
Many of the city's religious leaders at the workshop seemed to be onboard with the challenge.
“If we get the children in and give them something, it will be more profitable for us and the community too,” said Reverend Gregory Woods of Faith Deliverance Baptist Church.
Pastor Carla Stearns of Parkview United Methodist Church says it’s a mission everyone can help with.
“Chief Fox says trust is a very difficult thing to build with a police department. The church, we’re excellent pretty much at building trust. It begins there and we can keep our eyes and ears open,” Stearns said.
