SPRINGDALE — Police officers, city government representatives and community members gathered Monday to discuss community relations with law enforcement in the wake of several recent national tragedies.
“It’s no surprise to anyone some of the issues we’re dealing with,” Springdale Mayor Doug Sprouse said at the beginning of the Tuesday morning meeting. “We’ve had tragedies all across the nation. We have not experienced these problems in Springdale or Northwest Arkansas, but we have concerns. How do keep these tragedies from happening here? What’s happening here today is part of that answer.”
Scores of law enforcement officers and area residents attended the event where city and law enforcement leaders spoke of the concern of division and the need for open community and unity.
“I really believe our strength is in our unity,” Sprouse said.
The open house was orchestrated after recent fatal shootings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., and the fatal shootings of two black men by police in Minnesota and Louisiana.
Law enforcement leaders who spoke stressed the significance of the open house.
“This is a great first step toward making relationships better between police departments and the community,” Fayetteville Police Chief Greg Tabor said.