07/14/2015 | Filed Under: News

NEW BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED TO CRIME STOPPERS LEADERSHIP

Crime Stoppers Board of Directors recently approved the addition of 6 new members to its Board of Directors. Newly elected board members will be inducted at a ceremony on Thursday, August 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Lumberton City Hall. A reception and mixer hosted by the Lumberton and Kountze Chambers of Commerce will follow.

New Board Members are:

Michelle Barnette, President, Clubhouse Academy

L.W. Cooper, Jr., Hardin County Commissioner, Precinct 1

Allison Getz, Jefferson County Tax-Assessor Collector

Matt Peeler, ExxonMobil

Marcelo Molfino, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office

Jim Stott, Mel Brown & Associates

Beaumont Police

11 hours ago

On June 1, 2020, the Beaumont Police Department was made aware of a video being circulated on social media involving police officers at Parkdale Mall. The 29 second video depicted a few moments of an incident that lasted more than half of an hour.

On the evening of Saturday, February 22, 2020, multiple Beaumont Police Officers were dispatched to Parkdale Mall in reference to 20 or more juveniles fighting in the parking lot. Officers arrived and found a large group of people in the parking lot, with a single peace officer who had called for assistance. The on-scene officer pointed out one female who had been fighting, as she walked away across the parking lot. Beaumont officers called out to and began to approach the juvenile who was walking away. As officers approached and tried to handcuff her, a 17 year old male, who was wearing a yellow sweatshirt, yelled and reached out in an attempt to interfere with the arrest. That male was told that he was under arrest. The male then resisted the officers, who were able to push him to the ground to try to gain control of him. Once on the ground, he was rolled onto his stomach, and one officer applied pressure to the male’s upper back and neck with his knee, to hold him while he was being handcuffed. The officer did not place his full weight on the suspect.

During this stressful ordeal, no one was injured, and the disturbance was resolved quickly due to the actions of the officers. After reviewing all audio and video evidence available, including body-camera footage, I support the actions of the officers. This officer was attempting to use this method of control in accordance with the policy and rules of the Beaumont Police Department. Despite averaging more than 6,000 arrests per year, we have never had a major issue with the technique. Officers are trained to only use the amount of force necessary to make an arrest. The suspect was immediately stood up, removed to a safe location, and placed in a patrol vehicle in accordance with officers’ training in the prevention of positional asphyxia.

The young man told the officer that he was only trying to protect his younger sister. After some conversation, he indicated that he had made a mistake and apologized to the officer for his actions. The officer noted his good attitude, and ultimately, decided to release him without filing any criminal charges.

It is sad that these officers did nothing wrong, but are now getting death threats. It is disconcerting that people in the community are making derogatory and disparaging remarks toward the officers after seeing a seconds-long video. I believe that Beaumont Police Officers are doing an excellent job during extremely difficult circumstances, and I am proud of the work that our officers do despite what some civic leaders say about issues that they know very little about.

The Beaumont Police Department has been very fortunate to be able to establish and maintain excellent relationships with the Beaumont Chapter of the NAACP, the 100 Black Men of Greater Beaumont, and other community leaders. During the past few weeks, we have been in close contact with these organizations. We stand together and are very troubled by the horrible death of George Floyd. I have been asked to consider changing our handcuffing techniques to eliminate placing pressure on the heads and necks of arrestees. After careful consideration, I have decided the Beaumont Police Department will not teach or condone techniques that involve the intentional use of knees on an arrestee’s head or neck as a contact point.

We will continue to strive to serve our citizens with integrity, fairness, and respect.

Chief James P. Singletary ... See MoreSee Less

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It’s heartbreaking to fathom choices that officers have to make daily. I stand behind the blue and know without a shadow of doubt that the majority of our law enforcement officers have no bias and definitely would not make choices to harm anyone based off their race. Or to physically harm anyone they took an oath to protect. #backtheblue ❤️

It has not helped that the media who made sure this was broadcast far and wide used it to exploit an already heightened crisis situation nation wide. God forbid that Beaumont be left out of the fray, let’s take a minute portion of a bystander’s video and sell it to the world. I am thankful for LE everywhere, and the MAJORITY of LEO who are just and right in the performance of their duties.

I’m so glad for body cams. Parkdale is a hub for unruly juveniles. Law abiding juveniles can’t even go to the mall without an adult now. Heck I’m an adult and I won’t even go there anymore. 😑Keep doing your job. 🙂

We stand behind the blue. If people would go back to obeying the commands of the police there would be no knee needed .

Good job BPD! I can’t imagine the stress involved in your work. I am glad this situation turned out ok , as we all try to better ourselves & our understanding please parents remember to teach your children to respect authority.

Keep up the great work keeping us safe! 💙

Thank God for our Beaumont Police Officers! Bless them and keep them safe as they answer calls for help. 🙏🇺🇸

We are all human, we all make mistakes and we should all make sure that we learn from them. But we the citizens should not be attacked or belittled for wanting accountability. It’s not wrong to have that. It’s not wrong to question something we see. If we are viewing it as wrong now, why was it okay then? I don’t feel it was but that’s just my personal opinion. We see how it can turn out now and I feel like we as a community can do better. But now this post is talking about civil leaders? The associations press release spoke directly about a council woman who wanted things to change because of her strong feelings about it. Seems like a lot of blame being placed on people who are genuinely trying to help and get answers. I can’t imagine what a police officer goes through or sees day to day. But I pray for each and every one of you to make good choices, be honest, be safe and that you’ll get to come home to your families. Partner with your community and those trying to help you.

Some of the social media rumor mills are saying an employee of a local news station made sure the video was released to the public. If that's true, shame on them for not investigating the story to get the facts straight. Everything is being scrutinized under a microscope right now. I urge everyone who comments on public Facebook pages to check your privacy settings. A lot of personal info can be seen by people who aren't on your friends list unless you block it. May God protect our LEOs.

I Really appreciate Cops that know how to do their jobs without killing someone! Man, I hate that the Good Cops have to suffer for the bad! Because they’re plenty of good cops out there. But the bad cops are being left out in the world to continue killing people and the victim families not getting JUSTICE is the PROBLEM! But I appreciate this Chief for taking such a Big step and that’s implementing CHANGE! Something the President need to take notes from.

Sadly, the lies being spread by people. Keep Up the Good Work Guys! I know you are getting a hard time thrown at you.

Unfortunately, many of these juveniles at the mall have no respect for authority whatsoever. I can only imagine what your officers have to deal with citywide..

I wonder how the conversation would be if your child was the recipient of the method used on that child. We are not talking about all police. We are talking about the police in the video kneeing the child and cussing with tear gas in hand the other children gather around. I wonder what if it were your child.

I cannot imagine all that you all face daily. I pray daily for our communities and leaders, and first responders. Blessings 🙏

I don't understand why the video would matter its a few months ago. Its the past. I greatly appreciate all the work and help Beaumont police do. Thank you for your service and for the protection. Be safe and be blessed

Great explanation Chief. I support our Police Department 💯

I think the vast majority of us support all law enforcement - and I personally thank you for all your efforts and everything you have to wear or do to protect us.

That was my 40th bday! Glad it was special for some other folks

Your job is so dangerous and difficult. Thank you for all you do, BPD.

Thank you for telling the whole truth keep up the good work

To all yall who disagree there are actually young teens such as 13 and 14 year old who have and currently are in an adult prison for murder. Ultimately the kids are responsible for their own actions...but just maybe the parent is also a failure in good parenting.

Keep up the good work and praying for all of you to remain safe .

So it was ok that no death had come from these? Smh the police are trained professionals with way of take down with out harm! Not justifying the behavior of youth but these isn’t something that should not be overlooked he need to be spoken with are retrained this could have easily went wrong!

Dam a juvenile you do that to but let a parent do that you would be ready to put cps in the parent life. So if a parent can’t do it what makes it right for an officer to do it?

Thank you Beaumont PD.

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Sour Lake Police Department

12 hours ago

Judge Wayne McDanielPlease see my weekly COVID-19 report for Hardin County. Our active cases of the virus remain relatively low, and I continue to be very proud of Hardin County citizens for working, living and playing safely during the “Coronavirus-Times” we now live in. I ask everyone to please keep up the great work!

I also want to ensure all residents of Hardin County that your Emergency Management Team is closely monitoring the situation with Tropical Storm Cristobal and we will continue to do so. Please watch for updates on the Hardin County Emergency Management Facebook page, and be cautious of information that may come from unreliable sources. Our local media outlets, including their social media platforms, the National Weather Service – Lake Charles, and the National Hurricane Center are your best sources for information on this and any other tropical development.

Our Office of Emergency Management is prepared for the 2020 Hurricane Season, and I encourage everyone to be vigilant in your preparedness as well. Please visit: www.ready.gov/hurricanes for up-to-date preparedness tips, including guidelines for protecting yourself and your family from COVID-19 in the event you decide you must travel to another community or a shelter.

- Judge Wayne McDaniel ... See MoreSee Less

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Sour Lake Police Department

18 hours ago

Judge Wayne McDanielThe 2020 Hurricane Season begins today, and the National Hurricane Center’s most recent prediction today is that the 3rd named storm of the season, Cristobal, will form in the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico tonight or tomorrow. Please stay vigilant and pay attention to only trusted sources on the forecast of this potential tropical development, such as US National Weather Service Lake Charles Louisiana and NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center.

Visit the following websites for information on preparedness for not only this system, but any others that develop over the season:

www.ready.gov/hurricanes

www.hurricanes.gov ... See MoreSee Less

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Orange County Sheriff's Office

19 hours ago

Absolutely delicious!. Thank you Mark Philpott and Babette Philpott for this delicious three decker strawberry filled, strawberry iced cake. ... See MoreSee Less

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Congratulations Sheriff! Don't let Howard eat all the cake!! :)

Sheriff Merritt, better watch it or you will soon look like me...lol...!

Glad you all enjoyed it !!

Yummy

Silsbee Police Department

21 hours ago

We are a few days behind on this, but Silsbee PD is very proud of Silsbee High and the 2020 graduates! Congratulations graduates on a job well done! ... See MoreSee Less

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Aiden Delano

Silsbee Police Department

21 hours ago

Silsbee PD would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our friends at Silsbee Walmart for the thoughtful gifts! We were surprised with a cake, sandwiches, chips, drinks, and some homemade gift cups. We would also like to throw a thank you in to Fancy’s Bakery for breakfast this morning. You fine ladies and gentlemen are top notch! ... See MoreSee Less

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Oh wow! That's awesome! My coworkers are great people. Walmart #383!

Thank you all of it was very good and much appreciated.

Thank you for putting your lives on the line to protect others!

This is fantastic!

Y'all stay safe

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Beaumont Police

2 days ago

COVID-19 Daily Update from Mayor Becky Ames, June 2, 2020 ... See MoreSee Less

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How them nails Becky? #beckywiththegoodnails

Hey Beaumont Police Becky can’t come to the crawfish boil, we ain’t rocking with her like that

Beaumont Police

2 days ago

beaumonttexas.gov/the-city-of-beaumont-health-department-confirms-an-additional-covid-19-related-... ... See MoreSee Less

The City of Beaumont Public Health Department Confirms an Additional COVID-19 Related Death

beaumonttexas.gov

The City of Beaumont Public Health Department Confirms an Additional COVID-19 Related Death June 2, 2020 It is with great sadness the City of Beaumont Public Health Department (BPHD) is reporting o...

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Nederland Police Department

2 days ago

Walmart #408 brought lunch and snacks to the NPD, thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

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How very thoughtful!

Well deserved! Thanks to NPD !

That’s awesome

That's awesome! 💙

My cousin! 🖤

We back our NPD all the way.

Kool!!

👏👏👏

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Port Arthur Police Department

2 days ago

We are asking for the Public's help in locating 45-year-old, male black, Lamont Johnson. He has a State Parole Warrant and a Federal Drug Possession Warrant. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at 833-TIPS or you can report it through the mobile app, P3Tips, on your smartphone. You won't be asked your name and you may be eligible for a CASH reward. ... See MoreSee Less

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