Savannah faith group rallies to end police pursuits in school zones

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A local faith group, of about 120 people, held a safety outreach and support rally Saturday calling for an end to police pursuits in school zones.

The Savannah Inter-Denominational Ministerial Alliance’s message was “stop the chase.”

The rally occurs nearly a month after a local schoolteacher, Dr. Linda Davis, was killed, police said, by a man fleeing after an attempted traffic stop by Department of Homeland Security agents. Police said the suspect, Oscar Vazquez-Lopez, was not being chased by Chatham County police.

SEE: Savannah teacher killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE

Organizers said they want pursuits banned in school zones, regardless of the agency involved. Protesters also called for transparency and clearer pursuit policies.

CCPD policy allows pursuits only when the necessity of immediate apprehension outweighs the danger created by the pursuit.

Protesters walked from Sanctuary Church past the site where Davis was killed and continued to the Chatham County Police Department.

Our message is to everyone that’s involved that we believe that there should not be any chases in school zones or near the vicinity of a school; and then specifically we also believe that there should be transparency in all actions, so there shouldn’t be people wearing masks that represent our law enforcement, we should know who they are and why they are here.

Rev. Dr. Ha'Henri Thurmond, Saint Paul CME Church

Organizers said they are pushing for policy changes at the federal, state and local levels. They said they have contacted elected officials but have not received a response.