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Central Texas organization thanks first responders, law enforcement

Posted at 9:32 PM, Jul 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-25 22:41:03-04

There was a coming together Tuesday to emphasize and celebrate community and police relations in McLennan County.

The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce hosted an appreciation event for first-responders and law enforcement in Waco.

The president and CEO of the organization, Laveda Brown, said it is the first time the organization has done something like this and she would like to try it again if possible.

As problems continue nationally between law enforcement and their respective communities, Brown said she is thankful it is not that way in Waco.

"With things happening across the country, we just want to say, thank you, it's not happening in Waco. We regret it's happening across the country but we want to say thank you that Waco has a community of mutual respect," Brown said.

Waco Police Chief Ryan Holt agreed and said he feels like police have a good relationship with the community, but he does not take it for granted and he pushes his department to work on it every day.

"This is just another one of those opportunities to get to know each other in times where times are good so when those times come along when times aren't as good, people know how to communicate with each other and they know that the people across the issue have a good heart," Chief Holt said.

Chief Holt gives a lot of credit to community policing for that good relationship. He said the department has been doing it for decades.

Brown said theCen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce started in 2004. Members do projects and events to empower and strengthen the community and provide greater awareness of African American businesses.

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