6 replies to this topic

[JBB]

The news coming out of Dallas tonight is almost surreal.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the city and especially the deceased and wounded officers and their families.  There's no denying that there are problems in our country, but this is not the answer.

[renamerusk]

We Love You Dallas!

[Austin55]

This is just incredibly tragic. Largest attack on police since 9/11. Why

[renamerusk]

This goes beyond describing what happened as being a Tragedy ---- what happened is an Atrocity!

 

The killings of both innocent citizens, first graders and good policemen must stop now!

 

Those who argue that the Second Amendment is sacrosanct, namely the NRA, bear an enormous share of the blame for allowing the deranged and the haters to have practically unfettered access of rapidly firing firearms among an otherwise civilized nation.

 

Finally, of all places it seems so unfair for it to happen in Dallas; one of the best , most diverse, most skilled and most sensitive big city police force in USA has been doing its job correctly. 

 

I am really bummed out and saddened by this happening in the Metroplex.

[Jimmy]

There is a vigil being held at noon today at Burnett Plaza to show solidarity with Dallas.

[Dylan]

Very disappointing. The police officers in Dallas yesterday had nothing to do with what happened in Baton Rouge or St. Paul.

[renamerusk]

As time goes by, this horrific event will be overcome by good people and the professional approach of law enforcement in Dallas.  This is important to remember.  It is also noteworthy that Dallas’ nationally acclaimed approach to law enforcement has its roots in Fort Worth.

During the 80’s, Fort Worth lead the state and was among the very few cities where Community Policing was being used while under the leadership of the late Chief Thomas Windham, FWPD.  Chief Windham was nearly universally praised and beloved by all communities of Fort Worth, in particularly, communities of colour.

 

When in the 80’s, Dallas and Los Angeles both approached, unsuccessfully,  Chief Windham to lead their police department, he declined saying that Fort Worth and the relationships that he had built in the community was his ideal job.  To Dallas’ credit, it observed the results and learned the approaches that Community Policing was having in Fort Worth; and because of what it learned, today, Dallas is considered the national model for police and citizen relationship.  Remember though, that Fort Worth led the way.

So it is very disappointing to read these excerpts published in the Texas Tribune 7/10/16:

After El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen called Black Lives Matter a "radical hate group," 13 area leaders called on the mayor and city council to repudiate his comments......"One thing that causes me concern is that the chief of police in our community has identified a group of El Pasoans — who want to peacefully protest at San Jacinto Plaza on Sunday — in part responsible for the death of the officers in Dallas," O'Rourke said. "I think that sets up a very troubling and unnecessary dynamic between the police and some of the people in this community.” ......

 

Allen was not the only law enforcement official to blame the Black Lives Matter movement for the Dallas shooting. On Sunday afternoon, the Fort Worth Police Officers Association — the city's police union — took to social media to condemn Pandora Radio for a Facebook post that said in part, "Our hearts ache for all those who unfairly lost their lies. We stand with marginalized communities" and included the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter......

 

"We urge law enforcement supporters around the world to DELETE the Pandora Radio app from their devices," the police union's post read. "Pandora Radio openly supports an organization that chooses to MURDER American law enforcement officers."....

 

The president of the Dallas Police Association, Ron Pinkston, has said protestors are not to blame for the violence that unfolded Thursday night.......

 

"All those people weren't out there shooting police. It was a few," Pinkston said, according to the Houston Chronicle. "And we can't label those people like those few. And we won't do that."

Very sad to know that some one in the FWPOA does not appreciate or understand the rich and long-standing Community Policing approach and the benefits that it has played in building trust and instilled understanding in our City.

 

Read what was said at the time in memoriam of Chief Thomas Windham -

 

http://archiver.root...0-01/0947767054