“The piece, from the Chief, that his officers were in their cars, is a crumb that raises the possibility of a panicked reaction that they had not war gamed for.” ———
I think most everyone else believes just that, too. I think it even is rather obvious that the officers panicked. It is maybe a miracle they were as restrained as they were, under panic.
I think that is exactly why Waco residents have not set their own hair on fire over this and joined up in the scorched earth rage of outside bikers against the LE. The residents, I have said from the beginning, know these officers and believe their motivations are as decent as their own would be, under the same circumstances.
It seems like it’s the bikers from outside of Waco and outside of the event itself who can’t get a hearing because, frankly, no one in Waco yet agrees with them, or with their fast draw conclusions, or in the ridiculous conspiracies.
Also, on the clothing question. Gang clothing is a proud identifier. But if you are from a gang that is under, or has been under investigation and you come into Waco armed, it seems to me your clothing isn’t just clothing anymore it’s your ID.
LE should have an interest in your proud gang ID and your weapon and have a right to act on information that you are coming into town. Identification is the name of every game now days and it does have carte blanche, whether we like it or not. It’s also lawful to question your ID. These idiots should have known that and appreciated the nerves of cops right now, given they are under hell fire all over the country.
Go have a picnic at the lake and blast your jets, scare all the fish, but lunch on Sunday in the shopping center, with families? Not so much.
This is becoming a non-story as cooler heads are seeming to prevail. My 2 cents.
Hmmmm. Now where have I heard that metaphor recently? 1600 something, iirc...
Please keep in mind there are separate things going on here. What happened on 5/17 and what has happened since 5/17.
From the OP
With legal questions revolving around interpretations of the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Eighth amendments — including the right to wear motorcycle gang colors if you so choose — there’s enough constitutional grist in this complicated saga to keep state and federal courts busy for years.
I am aware of at least three lawsuits already filed.
1. On FR we’re on the same team. Most of the time I am lock step behind your posts.
2. I know a number of people who have lived in Waco. All I know have told me there are problems within the Waco PD.
3. In my opinion, the “preparations” of the Twin Peak police presence was based on “intelligence” of the DOJ or Homeland Security. And that “intelligence” was very flawed. It was admitted early by the BATF that they had a presence at Twin Peaks. Now they are scurrying away like cockroaches trying to not be noticed.
I agree that most of the police in Waco are reasonable people. I know the area.
But it is clear by the public information releases that someone is in CYA mode within the Waco PD. The Chief’s recent release was more reasonable than the blame the bikers and blame Twin Peaks crap that came from Swanton. I don’t expect us to hear much more from Swanton.
The RICO approach MUST have been steered by the DOJ or some other Fed Agency. It is the method they use. State Police almost never do that. In this case those methods are terribly misapplied.
This is NOT just a Waco PD event. I think that will eventually come out. It appears the state of TX oversight has kicked in and that sanity will gradually be reasserted.