A Democratic congressman with radical views has made a request to the Austin Police Department for security patrols at his residence. However, it is worth noting that this same congressman, Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), has been actively involved in the far-left “Defund the Police” movement.
During his time as a city council member, Casar successfully campaigned for a significant reduction of $100 million in funding for the Austin Police Department (APD). Recently, he criticized the APD for alleged racist practices. Consequently, Casar has faced criticism for seeking police protection from the very department he helped defund. The Austin Police Retired Officers Association addressed Casar’s demand in a statement posted on X Tuesday.
“It’s come to our attention that Anti police king of the defund movement in Austin @GregCasar who only last week called APD an agency with racist practices has requested enhanced patrols around his house for the next week.
“We want everyone in Austin to feel safe,” the post added.
“But this seems to us as the height of hypocrisy from the congressman.
“Maybe he should hire private security like his fellow squad members do.
“Sure seems like he wants the police in his neighborhood just not yours.”
It’s come to our attention that Anti police king of the defund movement in Austin @GregCasar who only last week called APD an agency with racist practices has requested enhanced patrols around his house for the next week. We want everyone in Austin to feel safe. 1/
— Austin Police Retired Officers Association (@APROA01) December 19, 2023
Casar submitted his request to the United States Capitol Police in Washington, D.C.
Subsequently, the request was transmitted to the Austin Police Department.
During his tenure as a member of the city council, Casar played a prominent role in advocating for the defunding of the Austin Police Department in 2020.
This resulted in a shortage of police personnel, a significant number of officer retirements, and a surge in crime rates that critics argue the city has yet to overcome.
“We did it!!” Casar posted on X in August 2020.
“Austin City Council just reduced APD’s budget by over $100 million *and* reinvested resources into our community’s safety and well-being.”
We did it!! Austin City Council just reduced APD's budget by over $100 million *and* reinvested resources into our community's safety and well-being. Tens of thousands of you have called, emailed, and testified. You made the impossible into a reality. #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/trrYSDEOK6
— Greg Casar (@GregCasar) August 13, 2020
Furthermore, last week, Casar dispatched a letter to the Justice Department, expressing his disapproval of the practices carried out by the Austin Police Department.
In his letter, he emphasized the necessity for comprehensive changes to be implemented in the Department’s policies and procedures, particularly in relation to the excessive and deadly use of force, racial bias, and discrimination against individuals with mental health issues.
Upon learning about the request for a security detail, Austin residents swiftly voiced their discontent on various social media platforms.
Numerous individuals insinuated that the request exemplified a clear case of hypocrisy.
“So @GregCasar believes APD is a racist institution that requires DOJ oversight but then requests more APD patrols around his house,” Austin personal injury attorney Adam Loewy posted on X.
“Interesting juxtaposition.”
“Greg Casar is a fraud,” Travis County GOP Chairman Matt Mackowiak posted on X.
Dennis Farris, the president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association, expressed his opinion to Fox News Digital that if there are officers available and a credible threat exists, Casar should be provided with additional protection. However, Farris also stated that he considers this request to be the epitome of hypocrisy.
“A week ago, he was calling the Austin Police Department a racist department that targeted Black and brown people, and this week he’s asking the exact same department to do enhanced patrols around his house,” Farris said.
“It doesn’t matter what political party they’re in. If they ask us for our help, we will give it to them,” Farris added.
“The last thing we want is something happening to them. My issue with it and the issue that most of my members are going to have with it is the fact that this guy, you know, it’s the whole squad thing, right?
“It’s the whole, ‘We hate the cops, we hate the cops, we hate the cops. Oh, please, come help us now.’
“He is the architect. He is the architect of defund the cops in Austin.
“He started this whole mess.”
Casar’s office replied:
“Our office has not been in communication with the Austin Police Department on this matter because these issues are handled by the United States Sergeant at Arms, who then works with U.S. Capitol Police and local law enforcement agencies.”
Casar’s office pointed to a statement from U.S. House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland that said:
“The Sergeant at Arms takes the safety of Members of Congress very seriously.
“We ask the public and law enforcement agencies to not comment on specific security measures or active cases because doing so exposes potential vulnerabilities.”