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WALLACE — Last Friday, Wallace Police Chief Jimmy Crayton visited the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal and Principe de Paz congregations to dispel rumors after receiving reports of false information creating fear among residents.
Crayton reached out to these congregations to address the public and reassure everyone that the information is false. One such message, which was shared on WPD social media on Jan. 1, warned that Wallace police had orders to stop all Hispanic individuals and arrest anyone without a license. Law enforcement stated that the messages were seemingly intended to create fear among Latino residents, emphasizing that they were “baseless and deeply concerning.”
During the visit, attendees were encouraged to record Crayton’s message on their phones and share it with others to help alleviate their fears about law enforcement.
With the help of an interpreter, Crayton introduced himself and reassured the community that they should not be afraid to approach the police.
“I don’t want you to be scared of us. Not of the Wallace Police Department. Not any police in Duplin County,” said Crayton. “Our job is not to find out what your immigration status in this country is. My job is to serve you, to try to protect you, and to be there for you when you need us. I do not want you to be afraid of the Wallace Police Department. I know there’s been some messages being sent around your community lately that tell you differently —that we are out looking for you, and that we are going to arrest you and send you away. That is not the case. Again, I do not want you to be afraid.”
Crayton urged families to continue sending their children to school, going to work, attending church and engaging in their regular activities.
“Keep doing the things that you want to do as a family,” Crayton encouraged. He also addressed that the H.B.10 applies to individuals arrested for violent misdemeanors and felonies, and does not target people going to church or who may find themselves in a wreck.
“We’re not here to harass you. We aren’t looking for you. I can’t stress this enough. We are here to serve you and everyone else in Wallace. If you need help don’t be afraid to call. We don’t care what your immigration status is,” said Crayton. “No matter what’s going on nationally we are still here to serve you. We love you and we are glad that you are part of this community.”
Participants expressed their gratitude to Crayton for his transparency and for addressing the rumors that had been circulating.
The Wallace Police Department later shared Crayton’s address on their social media, thanking both congregations for their help. They encouraged people to help spread accurate information and foster unity within the community.
