The Guardian Angels have arrived and a KTRH-740 news break mentioned that Chief Hurtt is none too happy about it. This KHOU-11 story echoes that:
The Guardian Angels’ No. 2 man is in town from New York.
“We’re looking to be in Houston, in perpetuity, because the people of Houston want us here,” Arnaldo Salinas said.
But judging from his previous comments, Houston’s police chief will not welcome the red berets with open arms.
“I need to work with the police; it works better when we work together,” Salinas said. “But can I work alone? Absolutely, and I would.”
The Guardian Angels have a history in Houston. They patrolled the Montrose area in the 1980s, but this time they are starting from scratch.
For too long MayorWhiteChiefHurtt ignored talk of a police manpower shortage — they have been focused on everything BUT public safety. You might say we have a world-class crime problem! Therefore, Chief Hurtt isn’t in much of a position to complain about a private group coming in to help out, even if the group is just providing an unarmed presence in crime-prone areas. If Houston’s top two public servants, who are charged with keeping the public safe, won’t do their jobs, are citizens supposed just to sit there like bullseyes? I don’t think so.
LOCAL TALK: Chris Baker is discussing HPD issues this afternoon, including the issue of the officer who was fired, then reinstated.
