Source: Shreveport Times
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090302/NEWS01/903020311
Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith is the epitome of the phrase "democracy in action"; its group members meet, determine the needs of their community and work toward accomplishing those goals in part by lobbying their local government.
The 20 dues-paying churches in Shreveport-Bossier City combine to form a cross-section of the population: white, black, Hispanic and Al-Islam, Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, Methodist, nondenomenational and Pentecostal.
"When they look out there they see voters," Ruth Bryant, of the organization's Neighborhood Revitalization committee, said of meetings with public officials.
As a large, diverse group they have clout, something they lacked as separate, smaller organizations.
The group met with Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn on Feb. 19 to talk about crime and safety issues. As a result of the meeting, they established a dialogue with the chief and a successful prostitution and narcotics raid was conducted on a house in the 1400 block of Kenneth Street in Shreveport based on information given in the meeting, Whitehorn said.