Wilmington mayor, chief issue statement about Dallas shooting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As the investigation continues into the shooting deaths last night in Dallas of five police officers, the law enforcement community mourns.

In Wilmington, Police Chief Ralph Evagelous this afternoon issued a statement in response to the shootings:

In the aftermath of these tragic events in our country, we pause to offer our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and suffered at the hands of violence. As your Police Chief I am mindful of the job that we are sworn to uphold and the challenges and sacrifices that face our men and women each day. I am also sensitive to the concerns that face our citizens, especially our minority communities.

The Wilmington Police Department is committed to standing on the side of right and eliminating injustice, violence and crime. We will continue to protect and serve every citizen in our community with fairness and compassion – while maintaining a firm hand against crime and violence. We will continue to respond to your calls, patrol our city streets, work with our youth and protect your constitutional rights to assemble and free speech. We can only win when we work together and value life.

Join me today as we join communities across the nation and pray for the safety of our officers, our sons and daughters.

After the chief’s statement, Mayor Bill Saffo also released a statement on the incident:

This is a difficult time in our Nation and our thoughts and prayers are focused on Dallas today as we watch in disbelief the results of the senseless violence that infiltrated one of our cities and took the lives of five community servants.  We are also sympathetic to the communities in Louisiana, Minnesota and Missouri who too have been touched by violence.

As your Mayor, I support the work of our Wilmington Police Department and salute the men and women who wear the badge and place themselves in harm’s way each day. I am proud of the agency’s efforts to enhance police and community relations through open and honest community dialogues, the body camera initiative, the Listen, Explain: Comply, Complain campaign, their open door policy to meet and work with community leaders on key concerns, as well as several other community relations initiatives.

As your City’s leader, I believe the greatest thing we can do today is continue to work together to bridge the gaps that exist within our communities. As always, I will continue to hold police accountable for the work they do to ensure that the rights and liberties of our citizens are protected.

We as a community have also experienced incidents that could have escalated into tragedies. Thanks to the work of community leaders, activists, police officers, and regular citizens, we have been able to diffuse some very serious situations. I hope and pray that our ability to communicate with each other and work together keeps us a united city.

Just yesterday I was inspired to hear about one of our Police Sergeants and a citizen whose heroic teamwork helped to de-escalate a potentially volatile incident in one of our public housing communities. A suspect had barricaded himself inside of an apartment after committing a crime. However, because of the collaboration between officer and citizen, the suspect surrendered peacefully. I applaud their efforts and willingness to work together, and hope this one example of police and community partnership inspires everyone listening today.

Let’s follow their example and make Wilmington one community striving for the protection of life and liberty for all.

Thank you.