Lubbock Police Step Up For Uvalde, Texas

On Wednesday, the Lubbock Police Department posted that they are sending four officers to assist the citizens of Uvalde, Texas. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but this is time away from home and working in a foreign environment following one of the worst tragedies our nation has faced. This is the kind of policing that Lubbock can be proud of.

It sure appears there were a lot of errors made by police in Uvalde. I wasn't there so I can't speak to the events, but the Texas Department of Public Safety has gone on record saying:

“It was the wrong decision, period. There's no excuse for that.”

I would probably go a bit further and say "decision." In addition to the inaction, frustrated parents were handcuffed and pepper-sprayed. I understand crowd control, but there was probably a better way to handle that aspect too. All of this has led to a real black eye for police in general and the frightening realization for some that errors can be made, accidents can happen and police aren't compelled to step in if they choose not to.

The Lubbock police stepping in to help will also help to rebuild trust and respect for law enforcement in Uvalde and elsewhere. I'm convinced they will be a positive influence not just on the citizens but also on their fellow officers. Good work, LPD. Be safe, and thank you for making this small sacrifice to a community in need.

The Lubbock Police Department will also be holding a "Burgers & Badges" meet & greet event on June 2nd at Clapp Park. There's free food for the first 1,000 people, fun stuff for the kiddos and more. Check out the Facebook event page for all the details.