Editor,
Am I the only one scared that American city-street chaos could happen here too? Hard to picture in red-blooded patriotic Texas but listen up.
In 2016, our city council was all about typical growing-city issues such as land development code, parks, neighborhood protection, housing, and jobs. By all indications, under the most recent leadership of Mayor Jane Hughson, the town has been running properly and efficiently. With the election in 2018 came a new focus on racial and immigration issues.
And then, 2020. In the midst of virus, shutdown, economic crash, election year craziness, and before three San Marcos Police Department officers were ambushed, suddenly city hall’s attention was upon the police department. (huh?) Council was given data which suggested racial disparity in police enforcement action, along with implications too many “low-level non-violent offenders” were being arrested. Therefore, theoretically SMPD needed criminal justice reform even before the George Floyd tragedy.
Behind the scenes, an increasingly influential group of activists was on the attack. They drafted and by a slim margin got passed a new Cite and Release ordinance to force officers to simply write citations instead of making arrests, thereby impacting jail overcrowding. Law enforcement leaders tried to present additional data and ordinance corrections, and were largely ignored. Official statistics are now being tallied, but officers now feel the ordinance as written ties their hands with poor ordinance details and unintended consequences, in addition to ignoring victims’ rights.
“We work so hard to do right,” one veteran officer said recently. “But the goal seems to prove we are constantly doing wrong. We aren’t perfect, but we don’t target anyone, we target illegal behavior. We also want legitimate reforms. We have lots of ideas and would like to work together with community groups, but why bother when it seems pretty clear we’re the villains in the narrative regardless of any good we do?” Another adds, “Morale sucks.” All this, as four local officers were shot, two of them killed, and two others critically injured by vehicles all within a 28-month period. Our police family is hurting.
Why am I writing about this? Because attending the Citizen’s Police Academy in 2016 forever supercharged my respect for all police. I vowed then to support them wherever possible. Being the owner of a downtown hotel, I have patrol officers on speed dial, and they never cease to amaze me at 3 a.m. “Ma’am, remember, we are peace officers. That’s what we do, keep the peace.” Spoken to me last year, before the speaker retired early.
What if they all get tired of the disrespect, the danger, and of being demonized? We can be snug and safe in bed at night largely because of our highly educated, chosen-for-their-integrity peacekeepers. What if their ranks shrink? What if, without them, crime rises? What if, most chilling of all, distrust of all law enforcement is a real agenda out there?
So, several suggestions. 1) If Kenosha and Portland aren’t to your liking, vote for city council candidates who are endorsed by local first responders 2) Watch a riveting YouTube video called Seattle Is Dying. 3) The influential local group is posting graphics on Facebook with such nuggets as #defundthepolice #fedsout #freethemall #dropthecharges. WOW. 4) Please vote, and try your darnedest to recruit at least one shy new voter (Know any hardworking 25-35 year olds? Ask if they are registered. So many aren’t.) Confirm both of you at www.voteamerica.com before Tuesday Oct. 5.
And pray for this most awesome town’s bright future.
Cathy Dillon
San Marcos
Editor
Donald Trump won the 1st presidential debate.
If you define the purpose of the debates as being to let the citizens see what kind of president each candidate might be, Trump was the victor.
We now know, if we didn't before, that Trump will not abide by rules — even those he agreed to accept. He will tell lies and half-truths to support his world view. He will bully and bluster to dominate the situation and fail to even attempt to answer fairly asked questions. He will not agree to accept the results of the election. Instead of calling out violent and lawless groups he encourages them to ..."stand by" ( does anyone mis-construe that statement?)
There are those who think the debate was a farce, a disgrace, a disappointment, a sham, a waste of time.
I think it accomplished its purpose perfectly..
It was a microcosm of what our public discourse has become and what it will be in the future unless we the people stand up and demand that all of our leaders conduct themselves like civilized human beings.
Gordon L. Sabin
San Marcos
