LAWRENCE, Ind. -- As the city of Lawrence continues to grow, so does the Hispanic population living in the area.
Now, a new crime prevention director is pushing to build stronger relationships and trust between the Latino community and the Lawrence Police Department.
Elia James Sanchez is just starting her role as the new crime prevention director with Lawrence police.
"Part of my role is to really look at the crime that's going on, to build community partnerships and relationships," she said.
As part of that, one area of focus right off the bat is the Latino community.
"One of the bonuses - I do speak Spanish, I am of Mexican descent" James Sanchez said. "I have a passion for serving my own community. I grew up in that community. I am very familiar with it."
James Sanchez started her work over the weekend, going door to door with police officers and other community members in the Oak Ridge Manor mobile home park. It's a pilot program aimed at building trust.
"That was really important for me to introduce myself to the Latino community and say, 'Hey, you have somebody here that can assist you in reporting crime and making your neighborhood safe," she said.
The group handed out bags of food and supplies, and even coats for children.
The effort comes as the police department is seeing an increase in the number of Latino families moving to the area.
Rev. Domingo Maldonado is the Spanish pastor at The Caring Place. He also took part in the pilot program.
"Sometimes at the beginning, they don't want to open," he said. "When we speak Spanish and say, 'Hey, it's OK, we have something for you,' they open and they are very open about it.
Part of the goal behind building trust and relationships is hoping it leads to more people reporting crime.
"Sometimes they are afraid," James Sanchez said. "They don't know their language, they think they will be deported or something. But no, it;s a good relationship we've started."
James Sanchez hopes it's a first step in the right direction. Moving forward, she plans to reach out to other neighborhoods all across the Lawrence area.
