Latest news with #LubbockPoliceDepartment
The Onion
13 hours ago
- The Onion
SWAT Team Robot Successfully Dismantles Black Man
LUBBOCK, TX—Saying the threat posed too great a risk to the life of its officers, the Lubbock Police Department confirmed Thursday its SWAT team had deployed a robot that succeeded in dismantling a potentially dangerous Black man. A spokesperson for the department, which reportedly received dozens of calls from individuals claiming to have seen a Black man at a crowded downtown bus shelter, stated that a perimeter was established and the area was promptly evacuated. Law enforcement officials explained that in situations where a Black man is detected and cannot be destroyed by conventional police methods, the protocol is to send in a tactical robot. 'We get plenty of false alarms and hoaxes, but if there's a real chance we're dealing with an actual Black man, we'll always prioritize the safety of our personnel and call in the unmanned unit,' SWAT team commander Lt. Wyatt Hayes said of the robot that, with the aid of sensors mounted on its manipulator arm, could be operated at a distance of more than 1,000 feet from the Black man. 'It's our obligation to keep our officers out of harm's way if we can, and we're fortunate to have the technology that enables us to do that.' 'But what's important right now is that residents remain calm,' Hayes added. 'This is exactly the kind of threat police train for.' As it advanced toward the target on its dual, tanklike treads, the robot assessed the scene with its camera and confirmed that an actual Black man was in fact present. According to police, the robot then began transmitting critical visual information to the specialist who would guide it throughout the delicate dismantling operation. 'You might think you're well outside the radius where a Black man can do you any harm, but you don't truly know what you're up against until you're in there,' said Sgt. Roland Meyer, visibly perspiring as he remotely extended the robot's arm and carefully guided its gripper claw into position. 'In this line of work, it's impossible to be too cautious.' 'But the public is counting on us to protect them from this kind of thing,' Meyer continued. 'At the end of the day, we just want the people we serve to feel safe in this community.' Officers eyed a nearby monitor anxiously as Meyer rotated the robot's gripper and, once the appropriate angle had been achieved, began the dismantling procedure. After several tense minutes of precision maneuvers, the Black man was successfully neutralized and a relieved Meyer flashed a thumbs-up to a round of applause. With no further risk from the Black man, police reopened the area to the public. While some locals returned and quickly resumed their day, others said they weren't ready to go back yet. 'I'm grateful to the police, but it's still unsettling to know there was a Black man in my very own neighborhood,' said Darlene Hoover, a resident of a nearby apartment building who told reporters she would probably stay with friends several miles away for the time being. 'For all I know, there could be one in a restaurant or at the park or the supermarket. I just don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable here again.' The dismantling follows an incident last month in which a Black man was spotted on a plane at Lubbock International Airport but was successfully detonated by police just before takeoff.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
2 civilians injured, Lubbock PD K-9 dead after police dog escapes handler
Two people were injured and a Lubbock police K-9 is dead after the dog escaped from its handler's backyard and was shot during an encounter with civilians early Saturday in southwest Lubbock. The Lubbock Police Department is actively investigating what it described as an incident involving one of its K-9s, who escaped from its handler's backyard and was later involved in a dog attack that injured two citizens in south Lubbock, according to a statement from Lubbock police. Just after 8:30 a.m., officers responded to a call about a dog attack in the 5700 block of 108th Street. During the attack , citizens took action to stop the animal, later discovered to be an LPD K-9. A citizen who intervened shot and killed the K-9. Shortly after the call for service was received, an off-duty Lubbock Police officer alerted dispatch to send additional units to help in locating his police K-9 that was missing from his yard. It was later confirmed that this same K-9 was involved in the incident. Two people were taken to University Medical Center, one with serious injuries, and the other with moderate injuries. Lubbock Animal Services also responded to the scene. The K-9's handler has been placed on administrative leave while we conduct a full and thorough review of what happened. "We take this incident seriously and are committed to holding ourselves accountable," reads a statement from Lubbock police. "Our priority is always the safety of our community, and we are working to understand how this occurred and how to prevent something like it in the future." This investigation is ongoing, and we will provide updates as appropriate. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 2 injured, Lubbock PD K-9 dead after police dog escapes handler
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lubbock mayor touts growing infrastructure, lower crime rates at annual city address
At his inaugural State of the City Address as mayor, Mark McBrayer touted many achievements Lubbock has seen in the past years and provided updates on ongoing projects. From the Lubbock Police Department's 100% murder clearance rate to the growing infrastructure of the city, McBrayer reminisced on a saying the city used to say years ago that still rings true to this day. "Lucky me, I live in Lubbock," McBrayer said. "I think we can all agree this is still true. We are very lucky. We are very blessed." The event was hosted by the Lubbock Apartment Association. As is tradition, the organization will donate a portion of the proceeds from the State of the City to a local charity chosen by the mayor. This year McBrayer and his wife Cindy selected Guadalupe Parkway Neighborhood Centers. Here are four items McBrayer highlighted in his speech Wednesday in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. During his speech, McBrayer said the council in 2024 passed a budget that lowered the property tax rate to $0.470120 per $100 evaluation - a tax rate that was lower than the year prior but that wasn't quite the no-new-revenue rate that McBrayer had advocated for. "I remain committed to keep our taxes low," McBrayer said. The mayor said he hopes to keep property taxes lower but also warns that this will always occur as the city needs to fund certain priorities. However, McBrayer said there is also a reason why Lubbock is able to keep its property taxes low. "Increased sales tax revenue reduce our reliance on property tax," McBrayer said. "Our sales collections have increased by more than 50% since 2016." Sales tax revenue in Lubbock hit $99 million in 2024, with it projected to hit $105 million in 2025. Lubbock City Manager Jarrett Atkinson also joined the Mayor at his address, pointing out other budget highlights that also strengthened city services, such as $14.5 million in general street maintenance. Dig Deeper: What did I miss at Lubbock City Council? Zoning change, PFAS testing among top items "This is not related to the street bond. These are our existing roads - trying to keep and get them in good shape," Atkinson said. Other initiatives include spending $100,000 on efforts to find a new home for the Godeke Library and enhancing public safety by hiring three new police officers, four public safety officers, a new fire marshal, and two new customer service positions at Lubbock Animal Services. Atkinson also pointed out that the city's principal and interest debt is over $1.8 billion, with 40% of that debt coming from Lubbock Power & Light. "A large part of that debt is associated with moving us to the ERCOT market," Atkinson said. Also joining the mayor was Lubbock's new police chief, Seth Herman, who was hired by the city in June 2024 and who has some goals in mind when leading the police department. "Lowering the crime rate, and I think we are well on our way to doing that," Herman said. "We are increasing the number of our allocated personnel. I would like to increase that number further." According to the city, there were 123,062 calls for service in 2024, with a response time of 6:13 for Priority 1 — life-threatening emergencies such as shots fired reports. Lubbock also achieved a significant milestone when it came to closing murder investigations — a 100% murder clearance rate. Herman previously told the Avalanche-Journal that the clearance rate means a known actor of a crime has been arrested, and the investigation is completed. Dig Deeper Police chief touts 100% clearance rate for murder cases in Lubbock in 2024 "I would attribute that to, again, a product of enforcement endeavors of our officers working in collaboration with our other local, state and federal partners," Herman said. According to the city, Lubbock saw 16 homicides in 2024 — the same as in 2013 — with several decreases in 2024 from 2023 in the calls for service such as: 23% drop in alarm calls for services. 14% drop in calls for services for hit and runs. 12% drop in calls for services for disturbances. However, Lubbock did see an increase in calls for services in the following categories from 2023: 291% increase in calls for services to meet complainant. 86% increase in calls for services to assist motorists. 32% increase in calls for services for check subjects or areas. Assistant City Manager Erik Rejino provided an update on the 2022 and 2024 road bond street projects. Here is the status of the road projects in the 2022 $200 million road bond: Dig Deeper: Lubbock voters passed a $200M road bond package. Now what? 34th Street from Avenue Q to I-27 — Completed. 34th Street from Avenue Slide Road to Quacker Avenue — Completed. 98th Street from Alcove Avenue to Upland Avenue — Under Construction. 146th Street from Quacker Avenue to Indiana Avenue — Under Construction. 34th Street from Upland Avenue to Milwaukee Avenue — Begins in 2025. Milwaukee Avenue from North city limits to 4th Street — Begins in 2025. Upland Avenue from 34th Street to 50th Street — Begins in 2025. Upland Avenue from 4th Street to 19th Street — Begins in 2025. 114th Street from Frankford Avenue to Slide Road — Begins in 2025. Residential unpaved roads — Begins in 2025. Upland Avenue from 19th Street to 34th Street — Begins in 2026. Voters approved a $103 million bond that would make updates to Broadway last year. "It is currently under design," Rejino said. "In 2027, we will actually do the actual project — resurfacing of Broadway." From Avenue Q to Avenue E on Broadway, the lanes will be repaved with concrete with modern brick intersections to reference the brick roads. Here is the status of other projects from the 2024 bond election: University Avenue from 50th Street to Loop 289 — Begins in 2025. Avenue P from 130th Street to 146th Street — Begins 2026. Upland Avenue from 98th Street to 114th Street — Begins 2027. 146th Street from Univesity Avenue to Avenue P — Begins 2027. 146th Street from Slide Roade to Quacker Avenue — Begins 2028. 34th Street from Upland Avenue to Alcove Avenue — Begins 2029. McBrayer ended his address with a brief mention of the ongoing July Fourth celebrations the city is helping to facilitate. For context, in January, news broke that the beloved 4th on Broadway festival hosted by Broadway Festivals Inc. wouldn't be coming back for what would be its 34th year after its founder — Don Caldwell — died in 2024. Others are reading: Early details revealed as Civic Lubbock, partners plan renewed 4th on Broadway celebration McBrayer quickly vowed that the city would still celebrate the Fourth of July despite the unexpected announcement. In late January, the city council unanimously voted to approve an item to reallocate the $40,500 grant money earmarked for Broadway Festivals, Inc. to be diverted to Civic Lubbock Inc., as CLI will be the fiscal agent for the 2025 Community 4th of July Celebration. Original reporting from the A-J stated that this year's festivities will be scaled down to include a parade in the morning with an evening concert and fireworks show. However, in March, it was announced that CLI and a host of community partners had come together, revealing early details about the festivities - including a parade, concert and fireworks show - planned for July 4 along Broadway and in Mackenzie Park. Mateo Rosiles is the Government & Public Policy reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@ This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: McBrayer highlights Lubbock success at annual State of City Address
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
E-citations to begin in Lubbock, here's what that is and what to expect
Drivers around Lubbock will see police doing something new starting this weekend, as the Lubbock Police Department incorporates a new technology for ticketing. Starting Saturday, LPD officers will begin using Brazos Mobile Enforcement, a mobile application to create e-citations, according to a news release from LPD. Using city-issued cell phones, officers will use the app to scan or swipe the magnetic strip or barcode of people's driver's licenses, along with the VIN and vehicle registration barcodes. With this, officers will have mobile printers in their vehicles so they can give physical copies. The app is through Tyler Technologies, a software company that has a history of experience in the public services sectors. The Lubbock City Council approved the app usage in May 2024, which expanded an ongoing contract with Tyler Technologies. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Tyler Technologies e-citation phone application to be used in Lubbock
