Kansas City, Missouri

For more than a year, Communities Creating Opportunities (CCO) member congregations in the Northeast reached out to neighbors and listened to their stories of struggle and hardship. The stories varied, but one theme remained constant. People feared calling the police when they needed help. Many of the victims and witnesses of crimes are undocumented and are fearful of the local police.

On Tuesday, June 22, more than 450 people packed Holy Cross Catholic Church for a public community action with the Kansas City Police department.

Wendy Medina, a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and co-chair of the action, said "Building a trusting relationship between the police and the community is key. Our families live here. Our friends live here. This is where we go to church and it is important to us that everyone here is safe."

Major Anthony Ell, Commander of the Kansas City Police Department East Patrol represented the police department. He explained that only Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are authorized to arrest an undocumented person facing no other charges. He also pledged to continue to participate in community meetings to build relationships with members of the community.

Read More:

• Police Try to gain community trust
• Medina talks about immigration policies