“Cops talk to cops”: Faith-based team provides trauma support for Southport first responders

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY-TV) — As the Southport community and first responders continue to grieve and process following Saturday night’s mass shooting, resources for those who are suffering mentally are continuing to become available.

“My response always you know I’ve had people asking me you know, are you okay and I’m always quick to say,’ I’m okay,’ but I’m not okay, you know I’m heartbroken for our community and I’m worried about our officers,” said Todd Coring, Southport Police Chief.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response team arrived Sunday morning with a team of chaplains trained to serve communities during a time of crisis.

One of those chaplains is Al New who drove from eastern Tennessee with his wife to help those mourning in Southport.

“We comfort them, we put our arms around them, we love on them…talk to them and try to get them to understand that we don’t know why things like this happen, but we do know that the Lord is still in control,” New said.

The team is stationed right outside the Frying Pan restaurant near the American Fish Company, where Saturday night’s mass shooting occurred.

New, one of the eight chaplains who have volunteered their time to serve the area says they are here as a listening ear to the community and first responders still processing Saturday night’s events.

“Let them have somebody to talk to, we just become good listeners, and we say, what’s a good chaplain, a good chaplain is a good listener,” New said.

New said he also spoken with Southport Police Chief Todd Coring as him and his department continue to grieve and process Saturday night’s event.

“Unique in the fact that they have some chaplains that are retired police officers, they have some that are retired firemen and EMS, so in our field, cops talk to cops you know they feel more comfortable, firemen talk to firemen,” Coring said.

Chaplains also spoke with Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew who says his faith is what keeps him going during this time.

“Faith in God, I have a relationship with the Lord and he tells us in his word that we can cast all our cares upon him and that’s what keeps me going after 34 years of being in the fire service and seeing a lot of terrible incidents,” Drew said.

New said they will remain in Southport through this week or until they are no longer needed.

He encourages anyone to come out to their truck located outside the frying pan if they need someone to talk with during this time.