WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Warner Robins leaders and law enforcement officials are hosting the final town hall of the year on Monday, aiming to foster an open dialogue with the city's growing Latino and Hispanic communities.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Warner Robins City Hall on Monday.
This marks the fourth town hall organized by city officials in 2024; each designed to engage different segments of the community.
Police Chief Wayne Fisher emphasized the need to address underrepresentation and rebuild trust within the Latino community, which he described as increasingly diverse.
"Through these past four town hall meetings, there was an underrepresentation from within the Latino community," Fisher said. "We want to ensure we’re allowing an opportunity for open communication and dialogue to take place."
Gabriela Gilner, a community liaison and accountant who immigrated to Georgia from Mexico as a teenager, highlighted both the city's diversity and the challenges of repairing strained relationships with law enforcement.
"I have seen an effort to include more awareness of the diversity in this area," Gilner said. "But it is hard to ask a community to trust you when policies can flip back and forth depending on who is in office."
Gilner noted that policies, such as Georgia's House Bill 1105 and ICE's 287(g) program, which addresses illegal immigration enforcement, have caused fear and discomfort among many residents.
This has contributed to a perception of alienation within the Latino community, she explained.
Fisher acknowledged these concerns and expressed a commitment to addressing them.
"We can reassure the community that when they are a victim of a crime, they can safely and with confidence come to the Warner Robins Police Department to report these crimes," he said. "We don’t want them to feel victimized a second time by fear of deportation or mistrust."
As Warner Robins continues to grow, Gilner said she hopes for stronger collaboration between law enforcement and Latino communities, calling for leaders to take responsibility in building trust.
"It’s the leaders' responsibility to earn trust," she said.
Tonight’s town hall will provide a platform for community members to voice concerns and discuss recent legislation, with the goal of fostering understanding and cooperation.