At Monday’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, the Sheriff’s Department presented the 2023 Racial Profiling Report. The report stated that the Sheriff’s Department made 1,444 stops in 2023. Of those, 77% were White persons, 18% were Hispanic/Latino, 5% were Black, and less than 1% were of other races. Men made up 65.65% of the stops, with Women making up 34.35%. Seventy-nine percent of the persons stopped were given a verbal or written warning, 17% were issued a citation, and only 4% were arrested. More detail from the report is shown at the end of this story.
In other business, three Brown County citizens addressed the Commissioners in the Citizens Comments part of the meeting agenda. Fran McDuff, owner of Sandy Beach at Lake Brownwood and a real estate agent for over forty years, spoke about many problems she has been having with neighbors in the Sandy Beach area for several years. The problems include trespassing, assault, property damage, and property theft. McDuff said she has called the Sheriff’s Department many times about these problems, but has received very little response or help from them. She asked the Commissioners to help with this problem. John Kane also spoke in support of McDuff, confirming her accounts and the lack of response from the Sheriff’s Department.
Also addressing the Commissioners was Allen Andrews, who spoke in opposition to County support for the proposed YMCA in Early. Andrews said while he is not opposed to the YMCA or its mission, he does not believe the County should support it financially. (Earlier this month the Commissioners agreed to call a bond election for the YMCA, which would raise property taxes in Brown County if it passes.) Andrews gave two reasons for his position: (1) it would be improper for the County to financially support the YMCA because it would compete with other privately-owned fitness centers in the County (2) since the YMCA is a church-based operation, County financial support would violate the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, that is, the separation of church and state. Andrews urged the Commissioners to reverse the call for a bond election, and decide the issue considering the previous arguments.
In Citizens Comments, Commissioners Court rules state that the Court will listen to comments, but the Commissioners are not allowed to comment, answer questions, or ask questions.
Other items of business:
*** Darrell Johnston, Brown County Emergency Management Coordinator, presented an updated Memorandum of Agreement between the County and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) for the County Alerting system known as IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert Warning System). The alert system is known as Code Red, and the agreement must be renewed every three years. Commissioners approved the request.
*** Commissioners approved the enrollment of Brown County in the Texas Association of Counties Cybersecurity Course. This course is necessary for certain grant funding.
*** Commissioners approved a request from Goldsmith Solutions, the County’s IT contractor, to recycle 52 pieces of obsolete equipment, including printers, keyboards, and DVD recorders.
*** Commissioners approved an application from Brookesmith Special Utility District to install private water lines in multiple locations in the subdivisions of Shamrock Shores, Lamar Terrace, and Indian Trails.
*** Commissioners took no action on a burn ban, leaving the current No Burn Ban in place.
Details of 2023 Racial Profiling Report
Total number of stops: 1,444
Breakdown by Race/Ethnicity
White: 1,111 (76.94%)
Hispanic/Latino: 256 (17.73%)
Black: 73 (5.05%)
Other: 4 (0.28%)
Breakdown by Gender:
Men: 948 (65.65%)
Women: 496 (34.35%)
Reason for Stop:
Moving Traffic Violation: 1,250 (86.56%)
Vehicle Traffic Violation: 187 (12.95%)
Violation of Law: 6 (0.42%)
Pre-existing Knowledge: 1 (0.07%)
Search Conducted:
Yes: 77 (5.33%)
No: 1,367 (94.67%)
Result of Stop:
Verbal or Written Warning: 1,139 (78.9%)
Citation: 242 (16.75%)
Arrest: 63 (4.36%)