DSABC mentioned the indicators are to tell the group of security issues, however the sheriff mentioned they use dangerous data.
SAN ANTONIO — The battle over the billboards.
There are new indicators up in San Antonio relating to your security. One reads quote: ‘Solely three DWI deputies for all Bexar County: Really feel secure?’ Plenty of eyeballs are wanting up on the three billboards throughout the town, with completely different messages.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Affiliation of Bexar County is behind them. President of the affiliation, Jeremy Payne, mentioned he’s calling out the continued poor coverage selections from Sheriff Javier Salazar.
“These have been extremely efficient in gaining the group’s consideration,” Payne mentioned. It’s not to incite concern. It’s to teach the group.”
One other billboard within the Alamo Ranch space says: ‘Just one deputy assigned to patrol all Alamo Ranch. Really feel secure?’
One other reads: ‘Just one deputy assigned to this space at evening. The place is your backup?’
“We have got deputies on the market in very harmful conditions,” Payne mentioned. The place they do not have lots of people. They do not have lots of again up for themselves. Officers and deputies in the neighborhood are jeopardized every single day if you solely have one man watching 50,000 to 100,000 folks in an space.”
Payne mentioned this matter isn’t something new and is one thing he has been highlighting for the final three years.
“It’s a drawback within the jail,” he mentioned. It’s a drawback within the streets.”
Nonetheless, Sheriff Salazar mentioned the billboards paint an unfair image to the group, and should not true.
“It’s misplaced enthusiasm on their half,” he mentioned. “And dangerous data. There isn’t any scarcity of trainers on the bottom on this space and actually everywhere in the county.”
Because the sheriff sees it, the affiliation ought to focus their efforts elsewhere.
“Take the cash they’re losing on mindless billboards and assist us with our recruitment efforts,” he mentioned.
The sheriff mentioned regardless of the billboards they may proceed full pace forward on their recruitment efforts.
“It’s counterproductive to the mission,” he mentioned. It’s a disservice to the group. It actually does a disservice to our deputies who’re out working laborious.”
The billboards simply went up on Tuesday and are anticipated to be up for a month. Payne mentioned he would not plan so as to add extra.
BCSO additionally informed KENS 5 assignments range with Site visitors/DWI deputies and depends on the place the necessity is. BCSO went on to say that though they’ll work wherever in Bexar County, IH35 and O Connor is in metropolis and primarily patrolled by SAPD.
They report, presently, there are three DWI deputies in Site visitors. And 165 deputies are assigned to patrol on East and West patrol. They mentioned of these deputies all are educated and licensed to implement DWI legal guidelines.
