Community and WRPD work together in peaceful protest

Warner Robins resident Chynna Jackson was distraught from seeing what was taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota and across the United States over the last week, so she decided to take a different approach Saturday.

“I just felt like us being here in Warner Robins, we still have a voice as well,” Jackson said. “But there’s a way to have your voice heard, and then there’s a way not to do it. I wanted to show that people can be peaceful and have their voices heard. So, we met at Peavy Park, and the police chief (John Wagner) surprised us and met us there.”

Jackson shared that along with her a group of 25 had a great conversation with Wagner, who is the Police Chief of the Warner Robins Police Department. After talking with one another, Jackson said Wagner offered the group a police escort.

“It was amazing,” Jackson said. “It was really cool of Chief Wagner to provide us with an escort. As a whole, our nation is divided, but it’s not just a race issue. Justice needs to be brought to all. And it made me feel good that we were able to make a positive impact in Warner Robins today (Saturday).”

Wagner said he saw the Facebook posts about a protest and decided to meet with the group at Peavy Park.

“We had some great conversations,” Wagner said. “They asked about our training, hiring, and how we conduct traffic stops. It was also good to explain why we do things a certain way. Our job is to protect and serve, but it’s also to get home safely to our families. Again, it was great conversations and very receptive.”

Wagner said the conversation lasted about 30 minutes, and then the group asked if they could walk and spread their message, to which Wagner answered by providing the group a police escort.

“They were able to protest safely and peacefully, which is what it’s all about,” Wagner said. “And we were happy to provide that escort for them. We’re as outraged about what happened in Minneapolis as most are. All that we (police) have built in time was destroyed in seven minutes by those four Minneapolis police officers. We are all human and didn’t want to see that happen. But here in Warner Robins, we’re better people, community and department, and it showed today.”

HHJ News