Justice Dept. Report Criticizes Police Response in Uvalde School Shooting
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for January 19, 2024.
DOJ report on Uvalde shooting cites 'cascading failures'
A Justice Department report, as reported by the Associated Press, critically examines the law enforcement response to the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting, identifying "cascading failures" that significantly impacted the situation. The report highlights that police officials waited too long to confront the gunman, lacked urgency in establishing a command post, and communicated inaccurately to grieving families. This comprehensive federal account of the response to the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School reveals extensive issues in training, communication, leadership, and technology.
In a news conference in Uvalde, Attorney General Merrick Garland stated that lives could have been saved if generally accepted practices in active shooter situations were followed. The nearly 600-page report adds depth to the public understanding of the flawed response that led to 19 children and two staff members being killed.
The report also outlines the agony of families due to misinformation and lack of coordination by state and local agencies. Additionally, it criticizes the massive law enforcement response, involving 380 personnel from 24 agencies, for the assumption that the shooter was barricaded and for the lack of immediate action.
This report is part of a broader scrutiny of police responses to mass shootings nationwide. The Uvalde community continues to grapple with the trauma and demands for accountability, with no criminal charges filed yet. The federal review began shortly after the shooting, reflecting the increased scrutiny of how police respond to such incidents.
Texas defies feds in border dispute
As the Los Angeles Times reported, Texas continues challenging federal authority over border control, escalating tensions with the Biden administration during a critical election year. The Texas National Guard and state officials are enforcing their border policies in Eagle Pass, Texas, by arresting migrants on suspicion of criminal trespassing and obstructing U.S. Border Patrol access. This defiance comes despite a federal cease-and-desist letter demanding full access to the Shelby Park area for Border Patrol agents.
The ongoing dispute intensified following the drowning of a woman and two children near the restricted area, raising questions about the impact of limited federal access on such incidents. Texas has utilized state laws, such as misdemeanor trespassing, to arrest border-crossers, a move that contradicts the federal jurisdiction over immigration laws.
The Biden administration's request for Supreme Court intervention, Texas' installation of a floating buoy barrier in the Rio Grande, and the recent migrant drownings underscore the heightened risks and complexities in this border security standoff. The Texas Military Department's statement claims that Border Patrol agents were not hindered from performing rescue operations, highlighting the deepening conflict between state and federal approaches to border control and migrant safety.
Chula Vista Seeks State Supreme Court's Decision on Police Drone Footage
As the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, Chula Vista is asking the California Supreme Court to decide if its police drone footage can remain confidential. This appeal follows differing opinions from lower courts regarding the release of drone footage under the California Public Records Act. A San Diego Superior Court judge initially sided with the city, citing confidentiality exemptions for investigative material. However, the 4th District Court of Appeal questioned if all requested footage fell under this exemption, especially in cases unrelated to law enforcement investigations. Chula Vista officials express concern over privacy issues. At the same time, plaintiff Arturo Castañares, a Chula Vista resident and the owner and publisher of the bilingual news organization La Prensa San Diego argues for transparency, significantly if drone usage could infringe on privacy rights. The case, initiated in 2021 after the city refused to release drone footage, is pending the high court's decision to review it, putting the lower court's process on hold.