A Modesto civil rights activist is organizing a march in Ceres Saturday to protest what he calls a "perceived misconduct by the Ceres Police Department." Robert Stanford is also calling for a "demand for greater appreciation and understanding by local law enforcement of Latino culture." Stanford joins some Hispanics in criticizing the Ceres Police Department for its aggressive crackdown on gang members in Ceres, saying officers are profiling Latinos and taking unnecessary force. "This is no police state," said Stanford. "This is not Nazi Germany. We're against police drawing heavy artillery on Latino children and...pulling them over because they meet one or two of the criteria." Ceres Police Chief Art de Werk said he's troubled that Stanford would conduct a march "based on perceptions and not not as facts or reality." The march comes months after de Werk's department made overtures to reach out to the Hispanic community. He has consistently explained that his department cannot afford to take a laid-back approach to gangs following the Jan. 9 shooting of two of his officers by a gang member. [more]
- Pictured above: Last month Police Chief Art de Werk asked for and received $260,000 to purchase an armoured rescue/tactical vehicle. He said the vehicle would contribute to the safety of officers and citizenss and to allow the rescue of incapacitated individuals during shootings. [more]
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- Ceres March and Rally for Justice! [more]