Since the first shooting, an OC Human Relations team has been responding daily to the evolving situation in Anaheim. We have been communicating with Los Amigos, LULAC, OCCCO, OCCORD and other community groups. In addition, the team met with Anaheim Police Chief Welter, his Captains, communications staff, and the City Manager, working with them to understand all that they are doing, what they see as the problems, and brainstorm possible initiatives that we could assist with. Staff have also been walking the neighborhoods speaking with residents to gain a better understanding of their concerns.
Rusty Kennedy, Executive Director of Orange County Human Relations, said anger over the weekend shootings reflects wider woes in Anaheim’s poorest communities, which suffer from unemployment, overcrowding and gang activity.
“It’s a hot summer, school’s out, and frustrations from the economy are certainly being felt,” Kennedy said. “There are really good families in these neighborhoods that are just struggling to survive. They have fears their child will get in between the gang members and police.”
OC Relations continues to work to help bring peace and justice to this unfolding situation.
