A Connecticut police chief says that crime is on the rise in his city because people have “abandoned God” and Christianity.
“We need God in our lives,” Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez said at a police solidarity march September 22, according to the Connecticut Post. “The problems that we’re having is because people have abandoned church, people have abandoned God, and that cannot happen.”
The march, which was held in response to recent police shootings nationwide, was organized by a local city councilwoman, the Rev. Mary McBride-Lee. It took place outside of a church and included religious chants such as “one faith, one city, one baptism.”
At the event, Perez encouraged prayer and attendance at religious services as the key to resolving problems such as gangs and community tension.
“Let’s bring God back in our lives, back in our church, bring our kids, in our city, in our schools – absolutely,” Perez remarked.
When critics questioned his remarks, Perez, who is Roman Catholic, stood by his comments about putting religion in schools. He said he wasn’t advocating for any specific religion.
