Flags remained at half-staff outside Miami-Dade Police headquarters Monday and as the nation reflects on all of the tragedies that have unfolded local community members & church leaders are speaking up.
Church leaders, law enforcement, and the local community began the healing process through dialogue and prayer after the incidents in Dallas, Louisiana, and Minnesota.
"There's a lot of hurt, a lot of confusion, there's a lot of misunderstanding so as leaders as pastors in the city I think we have a responsibility to love people well and to speak truth," said Pastor Jesse Carbo, with Crossbridge Church in Miami.
Dozens of people gathered inside Crossbridge Church to talk about racial reconciliation and how the Gospel and faith can help achieve change in Miami and across the country.
"We know black lives matter but we need to come together with law enforcement and civilians just to bring about a common peace where we can relate with one another, talk, and understand that there's only a few bad apples," said Pastor Eddy Gervais, with Community Christian Church.
A diverse panel of pastors led the discussion. Police officers also participated, many of them wearing "mourning badges" to remember the fallen in Dallas.
"We see there's a lot of hurt and we're trying to understand all parties, trying to be patient, more understanding and loving, and see how we can combine for us as Christians and law enforcement how we can better the community," said Sgt. Jorge Alessandri, with the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers.
Local
In Broward County, pastors and city commissioners met with Sheriff Scott Israel in an effort to improve relations and prevent more violence. The Sheriff says part of the training for his deputies will now focus on diffusing tense situations.
"The ultimate goal is to make sure we're de-escalating situations and diffusing situations when we can," Israel said.
A pastor at the meeting in Broward also said he wants his community to build trust in law enforcement. On Tuesday they will hold a vigil for the fallen officers as well as the two men who died in the police-involved shootings.
