HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Huntington's NAACP chapter is claiming members of the African-American community have been the victims of illegal racial profiling.

The NAACP and the Huntington Black Pastors' Ministerial Association say they are not indicting the Huntington Police Department, the West Virginia State Police or the Cabell County Sheriff's Department.

But they do say there is a need to temper the actions of law enforcement officers in the African-American community. The group is asking any African American who feels that they have been the victim of racial profiling or traffic stops without cause to contact them. The Rev. Roy Terry gave an example of a recent claim.

Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook said he was surprised by the claim.

Holbrook also sent us a news release after this story aired to say he attempted to attend a news conference held Wednesday by the NAACP and the Black Pastors' Ministerial Association. Holbrook said he was asked to leave because it was private.

"I understand and value the concerns of both organizations," Holbrook said in the news release. "It is frustrating for me to hear of such concerns first through a press conference, rather than a dialogue with concerned leaders. I have always made myself accessible to both citizens and leaders for all communities within our city since the first day on the job."

Holbrook also said he would be willing to meet with individuals about allegations of racial profiling and he takes pride in the Huntington Police Department's goal "to provide organizational transparency."

According to the HPD release, the Fairfield West Community represents seven percent of Huntington's area and 20 percent of the city's population. Prior to the Weed and Seed program, the area had 60 percent of the city's murders, 77 percent of prostitution arrests, 44 percent of adult drug crimes and 38 percent of juvenile drug crimes, the release states.

The NAACP said the African-American community continues to need the police to stop illegal activities such as prostitution and drug trafficking.

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