Although the woman who was raped in 1983 initially told police Michael Anthony Green wasn’t one of the four who hurt her, she later changed her tune when Green was in a lineup. This changed account would end up sending Green, then 18, to prison for 27 years. [Read more…]
Drunk On Horseback? DWI Charges Won’t Stick
Two men were arrested last week in downtown Austin after parading through the streets drunk atop horses. Okay, one was actually a mule, but both men were outfitted in their finest western wear, snapping photos with passersby and garnering some serious attention. [Read more…]
License Plate Scanners in Montgomery County, TX
New police surveillance technology is being deployed in Montgomery County. [Read more…]
Austin Sees Spike in Police Force Cases
Use of force reports were up to 1,703 cases in 2009 from 1,152 cases in 2008 in Austin. But this doesn’t mean the cops are using more force. On the contrary, organizations are applauding what led to the increased numbers—increased reporting on the heels of federal recommendations. [Read more…]
Texas Cops Use Surveillance to Thwart Car Burglaries
Surveillance cameras and tracking devices are helping Dallas police catch culprits stealing goods from cars. According to the Dallas Morning News, car burglaries account for about 30% of the city’s crime and police rarely catch the burglars. With help from one Assistant Chief’s personal finances, the local police are whittling away at the problem. [Read more…]
Texas Drug Homes Torn Down By National Guard
This month, the Texas National Guard is moving into Dallas. They’ll be tearing down a series of abandoned homes and buildings that have known drug ties. While they’ve torn down a reported 1,200 structures in the state, this will be the first time they’ve brought the program to Dallas. [Read more…]
Dallas Cops Track Previous Arrestees with “Hook Books”
Finding and following people known for past criminal behavior is a pretty basic way to prevent future crimes and to potentially solve current open cases as well. Dallas police are using this thought process in targeting recent arrestees and past frequent offenders with the use of virtual “hook books.” [Read more…]
Texas DWAI or “DWI Light” Proposed
The Police chief in Austin Texas has floated the idea of a Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) law, or “DWI light” as a new Texas drunk driving offense. [Read more…]
Houston Sexual Assaults Seldom Solved
A story in the Houston Chronicle this week shows just how rare arrests are in sexual assault cases. They state that according to FBI data, 42% of cases in the surrounding eight counties resulted in arrests in 2009. This is out of a total of 1,700 rape cases reported. [Read more…]
Occupational Licenses in Texas DWI Cases – Too Easy to Get?
The American Statesman in conjunction with KVUE published a story this week on the practice of giving occupational licenses to people accused of drunk driving. This, they seem to suggest, is a mockery of crime and punishment. While they stop short of making an editorial about it or suggesting the procedures change, their wording conveys a sense of displeasure about the system that allows for accused drunk drivers to get behind the wheel. [Read more…]
