tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post2461326771882691574..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Top Ten Failures of Austin Police Chief Brian Manley: A CompendiumGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-8819196632049958952020-05-07T14:40:52.939-05:002020-05-07T14:40:52.939-05:00@10:33, it's there for the people who need the...@10:33, it's there for the people who need the information. If you don't have time to read it, apparently you're not one of them.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2939221169555875522020-05-06T23:19:47.882-05:002020-05-06T23:19:47.882-05:00Manley made several 'mis-steps' in the Bom...Manley made several 'mis-steps' in the Bomber episode, including the usual, knee-jerk insults to the Black victims and Black community. As far as transparency, why does he continue to refuse to release a transcript of the bomber's tape, after all investigating agencies have closed their investigations?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-29308976921355588302020-05-06T22:33:29.037-05:002020-05-06T22:33:29.037-05:00Article is way too long, bud. Brevity is key. Nobo...Article is way too long, bud. Brevity is key. Nobody has time to read this. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-85190266023994277682020-05-06T13:21:20.843-05:002020-05-06T13:21:20.843-05:00I entirely agree with this piece, and applaud Grit...<br />I entirely agree with this piece, and applaud Grits for Breakfast for posting it.<br />I've lived in Central Texas for several years now, and – aside from disdain and mounting frustrations when dealing with APD (and other local systems) – I have few experiences to speak of since relocating here.<br />Despite the inquiry/request, APD has responded to me with apathy, ignorance, incompetence, bullying, and/or downright laziness – including when I've reached out to them for assistance with a hit and run report, vandalism, code violations, etc.<br />And although I'm an accomplished researcher, there's no easy way to find ANYTHING on that website. This, too, I believe is systemic.<br />Austin government, as a whole is, well, holistically unjust and biased! <br />And despite what "we" bring to the table (e.g., credibility, education, background, etc.or the established and provable facts of the case) – this "justice" system is rigged and stacked against people of color – with blacks/African Americans treading the hardest to stay afloat.<br />While everyone else – including the Austin city council, municipal government, and most media outlets – have the luxury of maintaining their eyes wide shut, "we" continue to be forced into the defensive roles the other Austinites have come to expect and define us by.<br />It's the same apathy and plausible deniability that proceeded Emmett Till's #OpenCasket – and every other brutality (micro- or macro- aggressions included) every since that time. As it turns out, not much has changed in 65 years.<br />People of color simply do not matter to APD until there is an unmet need or gap to fill – like a quota, blame, or pent-up frustrations.<br />As a measure to survive (this reality) while seeking solutions, I've simply come to expect the shortest end of the stick. And, as I am fully persuaded that my next encounter with APD might very well echo that of Sandra Bland's, I've also learned to avoid APD amaic.<br />It couldn't be clearer to me. Under Central Texas' oppressive and apathetic governance, there is a predefined trajectory (fueled by systemic/institutionalized bias and sustained by wanton ignorance) – and yet ZERO relief or recourse available – for people like me.<br />I know, this issue is so much bigger then me. And because I cannot help to improve a community or system that refuses to admit that it is broken, I've chosen to acknowledge the evidence around me and to #GetOut, so that I may live a while longer.<br /><br />BTW, if you go forward with a series, I've archived my personal experiences, and I am ready and willing to be interviewed.<br />[#BeKind: This is a dictated post, so kindly excuse any autocorrect, typographical, and/or other grammatical oversights.] <br />Lone Woolphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08746007506806244221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28044855316215537132020-05-06T11:31:45.109-05:002020-05-06T11:31:45.109-05:00You're right that the porch box bomb episode e...You're right that the porch box bomb episode explains his elevation. But even at the time, there were concerns. The memo from the city manager laying out expectations for him (linked in the post) described concerns that arose at community forums this way: "there were concerns raised by citizens who questioned whether or not he is able to bring about a cultural change in the department around areas of community policing, oversight and accountability. This concern was primarily due to his internal candidacy status and the uncertainty of whether or not an internal candidate can be an effective change agent."<br /><br />I was at those public forums. While that comment captures the concerns raised vis a vis oversight, accountability, etc., it understates them and tries to pretend they stemmed just from a perception that an insider couldn't be a change agent. Really, it was broader than that. As Acevedo's chief of staff, he was party to an actual problematic record, but the city manager ignored that and hired him anyway.Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-80190664239517047322020-05-06T09:06:01.978-05:002020-05-06T09:06:01.978-05:00Manley did a very good job as Acting Chief during ...Manley did a very good job as Acting Chief during the porch box explosion case. We have a tendency to elevate those we perceive as "heroes," without a greater vetting process. I remember the coverage at the time - city leaders said, "He did such a great job, he deserves to be Chief," and I'll confess, I agreed with that sentiment. I don't know what a complete and thorough vetting process would have revealed. Maybe nothing. But I think he was given the job because we were grateful and relieved rather than because he was the best candidate for the job. I'm so disappointed with his leadership and believe he should go.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com