In the midst of a crime wave in Texas, the Fraternal Order of Police Vice President, Joe Gamaldi, has come forward to criticize the dangerous movement to defund the police. Recent events in Austin highlight the importance of maintaining a strong and well-funded police force to protect the community.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 7 in Austin, two men, Don Lee Bennett and Pierre Laday Jones, were arrested on March 10 for their alleged plot to shoot and kill a rapper at a concert in downtown Austin. Bennett and Jones now face charges of third-degree possession of a firearm by a felon, with Jones also being charged with harassment.
The plot was uncovered after Jones admitted to police that two of his associates were planning the heinous act. Shockingly, Jones, despite being a felon, had a handgun in his possession as he spoke with law enforcement. It is deeply concerning that individuals with criminal backgrounds are able to acquire firearms so easily.
Jones identified Bennett as one of his associates, and although the other associate’s name was mentioned in court documents, they had not been arrested at the time. The trio had planned to attend a rap show near East Sixth Street that night. Jones claimed to have VIP access to a music festival, and the other two associates were supposed to use his credentials to bypass security checks and bring concealed weapons into the venue.
However, festival officials confirmed that there were no VIP access credentials available, and even if there were, it would not have granted Jones entry to a show unrelated to the festival. It is alarming to see criminals going to such lengths to carry out their violent intentions.
Jones told police that he wanted to kill the rapper to prevent him from providing testimony during a court case. Bennett had allegedly agreed to pay Jones $450 for the handgun at the concert. Jones also claimed that Bennett and the other associate were coming from Killeen, Texas, armed with at least six guns, including an AK-47.
Police and Jones arranged a meeting with Bennett, fully aware of the potential danger they faced. Jones even expressed his belief that Bennett and the other suspect would open fire on officers if they attempted to make an arrest. Thankfully, SWAT officers were able to apprehend Bennett without any casualties.
It is crucial to recognize the importance of a well-trained and adequately funded police force, especially in times of rising crime rates. The defund the police movement, championed by Democrats, threatens the safety and security of our communities. We must not allow misguided ideologies to endanger innocent lives.
This incident in Austin serves as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face every day. We must support our police and provide them with the necessary resources to keep our streets safe. The safety of our citizens should always be our top priority, and it is imperative that we stand against any efforts to undermine our police forces.
