WARREN Black churches support Harris in mayoral race

County commissioner Michael O'Brien is the front-runner in the election.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Leaders of several predominately black churches are urging their congregations to support Fred Harris in the mayoral election next week.
Harris, as the city's safety services director, is the most qualified for the job, and was the only candidate to regularly visit black churches during this election season, the pastors say.
The pastors also think he could help close Warren's divide between black and white residents.
They also appreciate his promises to push to reform the police department, something the front-runner, county Commissioner Michael O'Brien, has not stated as a priority.
"If Mr. O'Brien does not seem to have sensitivity to that fact, that there is a problem," said Rev. Alton Merrell Sr., pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship and president of the Trumbull County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.
Complaints
The Warren Police Department has been the subject of several excessive force complaints in the last few years, often by minority youngsters. The department was subject of a U.S. Justice Department probe last year, which ended with an agreement to improve the complaint process and conduct sensitivity training for officers.
Changes as a result of the probe effectively addressed citizens' concerns, O'Brien said.
"We have an excellent process in place with the Justice Department here in the city that if there is any violation or complaint from the public, they can report it numerous places," O'Brien said.
"My administration would not tolerate racial profiling by any employee, in any department," he said.
Pastor's stance
The police department could do whatever it wanted under an O'Brien administration, said Rev. Frank L. Hearns, pastor of Second Baptist Church.
"Some of the candidates are endorsing the use of brutality the police department has exhibited against the minority community," he said.
During a public talk Sunday, he said he told people at the church about Harris' qualifications and experience, and reminded them about the county's purchase of $10 cans of air freshener and $8 million budget shortfall.
O'Brien said he helped the county prosecutor in the ongoing investigation of county purchasing, and that the commissioners avoided the shortfall with the sales tax increase.