WARNER ROBINS, Ga. —
Police in Middle Georgia are reaching out to the Hispanic community following a request from local churches.
They say many congregants need clarification on laws and better relationships with police.
Between 2000 and 2008 the Hispanic community in Houston County grew more than 50-percent. Many are here working as laborers or in agriculture. The police department is looking at ways to improve relations and quell fears.
Recently they held a Hispanic outreach event and 6-hundred showed up. Tabitha Pugh with the Warner Robins Police Department says some are afraid to ask for help.
“Some time’s the Hispanic community can be labeled the perfect victim’s because of the language barrier or that they’re afraid law enforcement will automatically deport them.”
Pugh says Warner Robins does not participate in the federal 287 program which checks the status of everyone taken to jail. Recently a college student in Cobb County was arrested following a traffic violation and turned over to immigration officials.
