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Perrysburg officials respond to message of protest march

Mayor Tom Mackin and police chief Patrick Jones participated in the Wednesday demonstration.

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — One day after hundreds marched through the city of Perrysburg, city officials say they are willing to work to make needed changes.

On Wednesday in Perrysburg, hundreds gathered, then marched as a sign of solidarity with the other protests happening across the country.

Among the marchers, was police chief Patrick Jones and mayor Tom Mackin. Both city leaders said it was important for them to march to show that they are here to work with those who demand change.

Mackin said that as an elected official, it is his duty to take what his residents are saying and to find a way to act on them.

"I think this is just a process where everybody needs to reach out to them and invite them to the table so that we keep talking. And that we start listening so that solutions are achieved," Mackin said.

Chief Jones said in his department, there is zero tolerance for any biased enforcement, especially racial profiling.

Both men agree that the real solution to the nation's current racial divide is for those in power to go out of their way to listen to the people protesting and to always be willing to communicate. 

"In the end, we may not agree with everything, we're not always going to agree. But, if we can get the conversation started and we keep coming back and working on doing things better, making things better, and having respect for each others opinions at the end of the day, then we're moving in the right direction," Jones said.

In addition, Jones said he would like to see all of his officers equipped with body cameras, and for the city to invest in upgraded dash cam technology in the near future.

RELATED: Hundreds gather at record-breaking protest demanding racial justice in Fremont

RELATED: Hundreds show up for Black Lives Matter protest in Perrysburg

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