Belleville Police Chief reports overwhelming local support for department

“I’m proud of the citizens in this community for standing behind us,” said Belleville Police Chief Hal Berriman.
He thanked the community for its support and said he is, “proud to be out here.”
At Monday’s city council meeting, Chief Berriman reported that he had been through the 1967 race riots in Detroit as a police officer, through the riot in 1968 when the Tigers won the championship, and through when they were burning scout cars in 1984 after winning the World Series.
Those were tough times, but what is happening to police now in this country is harder.
He said the outpouring of support for his department here in the Belleville community has been overwhelming.
He said his department has received cards and letters and the Willis Baptist Church sent them a cake that was big enough to feed all three police departments in the tri-community.
Councilwoman Kim Tindall said political correctness doesn’t work for her. She said when people assassinate police officers, it makes her want to bring all her loved ones inside and lock the door.
“It’s not a place I want to live in anymore,” she said.
Mayor Kerreen Conley said it is a tough time for folks. She said the council greatly appreciates all the police and fire fighters do “to mind our community.”
Councilman Tom Fielder also personally thanked the police and fire department for what they do for the community.