Fort Worth police won’t arrest people for low-level crimes amid coronavirus outbreak (following in Denver and SF's footsteps)

Fort Worth Star Telegram ^ | March 17, 2020 | Nichole Manna

[DoodleBob]

Fort Worth police will stop arresting people for low-level crimes if a ticket can be issued instead.

The department made the decision in an attempt to shield their officers from getting infected with or spreading the COVID-19 virus.

Officers will not be able to make Class C misdemeanor arrests without getting approval from a watch commander, according to a source within the police department.

Class C misdemeanors are the lowest level of crime and include offenses such as theft under $100 and vandalism.

People will also be encouraged to make reports online or over the phone, if possible.

(snip)

These moves follow similar policies enacted in police departments across the country including the Denver Police Department, Oak Forest (Illinois) Police Department and the San Francisco Police Department.

[DoodleBob]

Per this website, a variety of offenses fall under the classification of Class C misdemeanors in Texas. Some of the most common examples include:

• Public intoxication
• Traffic tickets
• Disorderly conduct
• Writing a “hot check” for less than $20
• Jumping bail
• Gambling
• Trespassing on public property
• Simple assault (i.e., no weapon or battery involved)
• Petty theft
• Leaving a child in a car
• Minor in possession of alcohol
• Minor in possession of tobacco
• Possession of drug-related paraphernalia

[janetjanet998]

why do they even announce this

[shadeaud]

Ft. Worth is just showing Dallas that they can be as ignorant as they are. Stupid is what stupid does

[Magnum44]

Another example of police not being responsible for YOUR safety. Why do we pay them then?

Gone, it seems, are the days of "protect and serve".

I have friends who are former or current LEO and the ones I know I'd be happy to serve with. I'd be happy to hear from others if my opening statement seems harsh. Sorry, but citizens pay taxes for services, not pension drawing desk warmers.

[BobL]

Damn, no DUI.

[Vaquero]

Abbot needs to send in the Rangers.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

Abbot has activated the national guard.

 

 

[colorado tanker]

[wally_bert]

Jace Pierce can handle it.

[gcparent]

Free for all.

[Delphster]

why do they even announce this

You most likely see a increase in these misdemeanors, but no arrest so then they will say crime has gone down

Public intoxication
Traffic tickets
Disorderly conduct
Writing a “hot check” for less than $20
Jumping bail
Gambling
Trespassing on public property
Simple assault (i.e., no weapon or battery involved)
Petty theft
Leaving a child in a car
Minor in possession of alcohol
Minor in possession of tobacco
Possession of drug-related paraphernalia

[Rastus]

So any blind person on the streets of Cowtown better look out for all the mopery.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

So it will be handled through street-justice, alrighty then.

[dirtboy]

Philly’s ban is even worse.

[dirtboy]

Philly:

[Bonemaker]

Soros DA’s have been routinely doing this all along.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Soros money well invested.

[libertylover]

The damn fools! OK, maybe you don’t arrest as many for low-level crimes, but don’t announce that you’re doing that. May as well pass out “Get Out Of Jail Free Cards”.

[arthurus]

Fort Worth declares a Misdemeanor Holiday!

[faithhopecharity]

I agree with no arrests for several of those small offenses but maybe one or two not. At any event,we sure could do well to stop arresting people for minor things - just warn them or give them a ticket. Arresting is a major deprivation of liberty and costs us taxpayers a ton of money. We should I think have a public discussion of moving some minor offenses away from the arresting process and just give an appropriate warning or ticket