NEW ORLEANS (RNS) District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has asked local religious leaders to encourage their congregants to reach out to prosecutors when they witness violent crimes.

Cannizzaro asked clergy at a Thursday (Jan. 12) prayer breakfast at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to help forge an alliance with his office to help convince more witnesses to take the stand in criminal trials.

“All the programs in the world can’t help someone who rapes or murders,” Cannizzaro told the 125 clergy in attendance. “That person has got to be removed from the streets of our society.”

Cannizzaro acknowledged the sacrifices witnesses make.

“It may mean moving out of your house if you feel your life is in danger,” said the new DA, who has talked of moving fearful witnesses to safe houses across the state.

Even if witnesses to crime are afraid, church leaders should encourage them to testify because “they care about their community,” he said.

“I need your help. I need your prayers. You have a pipeline to a higher authority,” he said.

Cannizzaro’s remarks were met with applause, but some in attendance expressed skepticism in a question-and-answer session after the breakfast.

Local church figures said their neighbors don’t trust the New Orleans Police Department, citing instances of corrupt officers and racial profiling.

Cannizzaro said New Orleans police officers are valued allies in the crime fight, but also promised to punish any who are found guilty of misconduct.

“Police officers won’t be immune from prosecution simply because they are police officers,” he said.