A San Angelo politician is gaining a lot of attention via social media.
“My first reaction was one of disappointment to be honest with you,” says community activist, Jesse Martinez.
“Anytime a public official makes those kinds of remarks that are decisive it only hurts the community as a whole.”
On February 18, 2017, San Angelo City Councilman Bill Richardson posted on his Facebook page that he felt threatened by a Hispanic police officer who responded to a call for service at his residence.
The councilman continued the post asking “all non-Hispanics to keep a written record of their encounters with Hispanic SAPD officers” and now the San Angelo Law Enforcement Spouses Association is calling for his resignation.
“I’m sure they’re looking out for their husbands, or their spouses, their wives also. I wouldn’t want my family member to be put in a jeopardizing position because of what a city official has said,” says Martinez.
The San Angelo Law Enforcement Spouses Association believes Mr. Richardson’s comments serve to incite racism in the community and could possibly lead to threats and potential violence against certain law enforcement officers based on the color of their skin.
“Police Chief Carter made him aware that there is a procedure of complaint that he could follow instead of putting out your private business out into social media,” says Martinez.
Police Chief Frank Carter issued Monday saying “At a time when police officer line-of-duty deaths are at an all-time high, it is vital that we continue to strive for unity and to build solid relationships with the public we serve. “
“It is an united community. Now we do have our differences and we do have different opinions but that’s okay,” says Martinez.
Richardson’s post drew hundreds of comments from the community.
Many community members say they look forward to hearing from Richardson at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
(Information from ConchoValleyHomepage.com)
