CCO leaders work to rebuild trust between Northeast residents and the police

Immigration Reform

June 22, 2010  |  NBC Action News

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Hundreds of residents of some northeast Kansas City neighborhoods say it is time to rebuild trust with police.

A group called Communities Creating Opportunity is hosting a meeting Tuesday night inviting residents to hear from police clarifications about the rights of undocumented people.

"We've talked to hundreds of families and have heard sad, heartbreaking stories," said Wendy Medina from CCO.

Medina says it is common for serious crimes to go unreported because witnesses or even victims of those crimes are undocumented residents. This perpetuates a vicious crime cycle.

"Those criminals know they aren't going to call police, so they keep victimizing those families," she said.

The Kansas City Police Department will be represented by members of East Patrol who are expected to explain that only Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers can arrest an undocumented person facing no other charges. Police hope hearing it from officers will help ease fears and build trust. So does Medina.

"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," she said.

The meeting is open to the public and starts at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 22 at Holy Cross Church 5106 St. John Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.