Three officers were killed in Baton Rouge Sunday morning, the latest attack during several weeks of unrest in the country.
Just 10 days ago, another attack on police in Dallas killed five officers, and the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were just days before that.
Law enforcement and citizens across the country and in San Diego are trying to find common ground.
“One of the first things I thought of this morning is the [mourning] band will be on the badge for at least another week. It’s just, it's just tragic,” a somber Sheriff Bill Gore told NBC 7.
Gore said he urges the public and officers not to overreact because then the attackers win.
“To let the acts of some deranged people in other parts of the country drive a wedge, which is what they're trying to do, they're trying to create civil unrest. This serves no productive end,” Gore said.
“This is not the time to get angry and come out and slam the police or slam citizens or slam anybody,” National Action Network activist Shane Harris agreed. “It’s a time to stand together and pray and love on each other.”
Local
Sheriff Gore explained he wants people to not fall into the trap of division.
“I'm not saying there aren't mistakes made in law enforcement,” Gore said. “We’re not perfect and nobody is…We have to be able to step back and talk about these issues and come to some constructive answers and solutions."
During the San Diego Pride Festival this weekend, where there was a heightened security presence, people went up to officers to thank them and mourn with them.
“I think it's really ignorant and I really think it's sad,” paradegoer Alex Malkim said. “I know you’re mad at the cops, but why not make it better?"
The question is poignant as officers must, one more time, put on the mourning band.
San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman reacted on Twitter to the horrific attack on officers in Baton Rouge saying, "The terrible acts of violence in #BatonRouge will never break our resolve to protect & serve our community. We must all stand together."
