Local

Gastonia leaders, residents meet amid Ferguson unrest

GASTONIA, N.C. — Families in Gastonia are using the events in Ferguson to be proactive about issues close to home.
 
While residents in Gastonia are keeping a close eye on the events happening 700 miles away in Ferguson, they're more concerned with making sure something like this never happens here.
 
"We got to change our ways or else it'll come home to Gastonia," said one resident.
 
City leaders, members of law enforcement and citizens of Gastonia came together to talk about the issues plaguing their own community.
 
Gastonia police officials told the crowd they planned to work harder at opening lines of communication between officers and residents and also creating more diversity within the Police Department.
 
Another rally is planned for next month.