Police Chief Sheri Crain addressed fear of violence during political protests in response to a question during the Aug. 27 edition of Coffee with the Mayor on KSQM 91.5 FM.

The question referred to violence in other cities and asked if it would be legal to use deadly force to protect oneself from violence.

The Sequim Police Chief noted that some events have ended in violence in some pockets of the nation but pointed out that Sequim protests have been peaceful. She condemned “fear-mongering” on social media.

“In Sequim, the fear level should be down around zero,” she said. “In Sequim, we have a great history of listening to our neighbors, so when we have rallies on our corners, they are our neighbors, our friends. They are members of our community.

“Before we get to the fear … let’s remember who these people are and give them room to express themselves.”

Armed men led by Seth Larson, who runs a local gun shop, came to a racial justice protest in Sequim on June 3. When he realized the protest was peaceful, he apologized for asking for to help defend Sequim on his Facebook page.

“Social media is not a pristine source of information,” Crain said. “A lot of information is distorted.”

She urged all who have concerns to call the police department.