ICYMI: 'Finding Solutions Together,' Paulding Law Enforcement, Community Meet

DALLAS, GA -- With tensions running high nationwide over recent police shootings and the slaying of Dallas, Texas, officers at a Black Lives Matter protest, Paulding County community members and law-enforcement officials did something a little different Wednesday evening.
They got together and talked.

The town hall-style meeting was held at Oasis Family Life Church, a predominantly African-American congregation in Dallas, Ga.
"Finding solutions to injustice," the church wrote in a Facebook post about the meeting. "Oasis members voiced their concerns and received solutions."

Law-enforcement officials also described the gathering as productive.
"Sheriff Gary Gulledge met with community leaders tonight at Oasis Family Life Church in Dallas, GA to take part in a open discussion about the climate of law enforcement and minorities in our community," the sheriff's office said in its own Facebook post. "The discussion went well and hopefully both sides of the discussion have a better understanding of the other."

Those in attendance included Paulding County Commission Chairman David Austin, Georgia state Rep. Kimberly Alexander, Dallas Mayor Boyd L. Austin, Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge, Dallas Police Chief Scott Halter and Pastor Cord Franklin.

Online, the gathering received praise, both from Paulding County residents who attended and those who were just learning about it on Thursday.

"I would like to say, I appreciate Sheriff Gulledge and all the other officers and officials that showed up to Oasis tonight for the town hall," one Facebook user wrote. "Showing up, knowing that you would be in the hot seat makes a difference to me, because you could have easily came up with something else to do, but you chose to SHOW UP and we need more good people to show up.

"Let's love and not divide ... . It will not be solved today or tomorrow, but we have made a step in the right direction."

The town hall meeting came a night after a small group of Black Lives Matter protesters gathered for a rally in Paulding County.