Sheriff’s department hosts ‘Clergy Summit’ in La Quinta

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department hosted a “Clergy Summit” at the Embassy Suites in La Quinta Wednesday. About 50 law enforcement officers, church and community leaders attended. They covered different issues they said plague the Coachella Valley, including hate crimes, terrorism, graffiti and scams.

The purpose of the summit was to help strengthen ties with church leaders and get input from them along with non-profit organizations and shelters to fight crime.

“We can do better and this is a good start,” said Capt. Sue Trevino, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept.

“The importance is connecting and building relationships and establishing relationships with the community and leaders in the community,” said Capt. Andrew Shouse.

The sheriff’s department hopes more churches and non-profit organizations, especially in the eastern Coachella Valley, will jump on board.

“We have a significant violent crime problem in the eastern end of the Valley,” said Shouse. “What we’re trying to do is establish relationships to get the community to stand with law enforcement and to take a stand against violence, to take a stand against gang membership and gang activity.”

Participants asked questions and learned about the sheriff’s department policy and response to these crimes.

Albert Perez, pastor of the Apostolic Church in Coachella, said the department provides safety and security. Community leaders provide outreach.

“If we can reach the family we change the outcome of the relationship children have with their teacher and law enforcement,” said Perez.