All eyes on Ferguson, including Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With all eyes on Ferguson, local leaders and faith groups are calling for peace across the nation and here at home. All are working to ensure there's no spillover violence in Fresno.

Members of the faith community stood in front of the Fresno Police Department, saying "We understand that true peace cannot be achieved until true justice is reached."

Their local words can be applied to national images, as the FBI, attorneys and police prepare for possible violence in Ferguson following the grand jury's decision.

The jurors are debating whether to indict a Ferguson police officer over the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager. Fresno's leaders are watching as is the rest of the nation.

Chief Jerry Dyer said, "I am here to ask the citizens of Fresno to exercise calm regardless of that grand jury's decision and to not allow the events in Ferguson to spillover into the Fresno community."

The Chief says the verdict is coming and without expressing opinion or judgment. He, and the faith community are pushing for peace.

D.J Criner said, "Peace and calmness must go down when it comes to our protesting."

Pastor Criner says they're all standing in solidarity in hopes of lasting change.

Pastor BT Lewis went to Ferguson after the fatal shooting. "As soon as we hit the ground in Ferguson there was a noticeable difference between our police department and the police department in that area."

He says Ferguson's department is nothing like Fresno's, and the Chief addressed the militarization of police, which has become a focal point across the nation.

"It is my belief that it is not the equipment that law enforcement has, but how we use it," said Dyer. "We should never use any equipment to intimidate members of our community."

Dyer repeatedly said he does not anticipate any violence or threat here at home but wanted to urge everyone to engage one another with positivity, as we all watch and wonder what 12 people will decide.