SOMS TOWN HALL ON RACE AND COPS BRINGS EMOTION, INSIGHT

The national news' deadly events of the past week - from the deaths of two black men at the hands of police in Louisiana and Minnesota to the sniper murder of five Dallas police officers - sparked a lively and emotional event Tuesday night at South Orange Middle School organized by five CHS alum and aimed at seeking peace and calm between the races.

Police, students and resident from Maplewood and South

Orange gathered at SOMS for a two-hour discussion that included concerns from black and white residents about police force and pleas by police for understanding and cooperation.

The event was prompted by CHS graduates Felisha George, Emanuel Grant, Alfonso Spottswood, Sydney Scruggs and Cory Hardy, who also created the group #notinourtwotowns.

See some of the residents concerns below:




Those were followed by police from both communities seeking to bridge the communication gap that can exist with the community: