On Monday, September 16, 2024, Maypearl Police acknowledged an incident in which their failure to stop a vehicle for a minor traffic violation may have allowed two vehicle burglaries to occur. The department's response follows growing public scrutiny over past encounters and accusations of harassment. In an effort to address these concerns, police have outlined their role and responsibilities, as well as efforts to improve transparency with the community.
The incident in question involved a dark-colored Dodge Durango, observed traveling westbound in the 500 block of North Main Street. The driver failed to signal when turning into the Chambers Creek Brewing Company. Police did not stop the vehicle at that time. Seven minutes later, occupants of the same vehicle burglarized two nearby cars. The department admitted that had they stopped the Durango for the initial violation, it might have prevented the thefts.
In a statement, the department expressed frustration with the criticism directed at officers, saying they are often accused of harassment or unfairly judged for actions they take to enforce the law. “We failed,” the statement read, “If that vehicle was stopped for not using their blinker, that more than likely would have deterred the thieves and kept innocent people from being victims.”
Despite the backlash, the department emphasized its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, which they say have reduced accidents and violations in the community. Officers reported stopping a vehicle earlier that day that was traveling 60 miles per hour through downtown Maypearl.
The police urged citizens to consider the full context of their actions and invited the public to review available data, video, and records to promote transparency. “We are humans and we make mistakes,” the statement continued, “But we learn from those mistakes to improve us in our profession.”
The department reiterated that their role is to enforce state laws and local ordinances, not to harass or generate revenue for the city. They encouraged citizens with questions or concerns to engage with them directly to better understand their efforts and challenges.
