Police in South Florida have partnered with local pastors in case violence erupts after a verdict is rendered in George Zimmerman's second-degree-murder trial in the shooting death of the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, according to CBS Miami.
From the pulpit of the Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Miami-Dade Police Director JD Patterson preached peace Thursday evening.
“Riots are not acceptable and riots are not expected,” Patterson said.
MDPD’s motto for the outcome of the case is “Be vocal, not violent.”
“We don’t have anything to give us any indication otherwise, so we expect a peaceful event as a result of the verdict,” Patterson told CBS 4′s Lauren Pastrana.
In the month following the death of Trayvon Martin, South Florida students staged walk-outs. The demonstrations were public, yet peaceful rallies in support of the teen who lived here.
With the trial coming to a close, some worry people may turn to rioting.
One pastor stood at the meeting and told Patterson he believes Miami will be “Ground Zero” for violence and looting.
His colleagues were quick to say the city has matured since the riots of 1980.
“I know that child was born and raised here in Miami,” one pastor said of Trayvon Martin. “He got killed up in Sanford. But that has no reason for our young folk to get fired up and talk about bringing destruction on the city.”
Read more at CBS Miami.