PLANO (WBAP/KLIF) – The Plano Police Department is responding to backlash over its response to a recent protest through city streets.
According to Plano Police, an officer was dispatched to a reported Traffic Hazard call on May 2 where the caller stated there was a malfunction in the traffic signal light at the intersection of Preston Road and SH121.
Demonstrators were protesting the death of Marvin Scott III in the Collin County Jail.
Due to a heavy call volume, only one officer was available to respond to the scene, according to Police. It was later determined that there was no signal malfunction but rather approximately 50 protestors in and around the roadway. The officer immediately called for backup officers to respond as soon as possible. Police said that during the incident, a female reported that she was assaulted by a male who confronted the protestors, but the officer did not witness the assault.
“The officer de-escalated the situation by removing the male away from the crowd,” Plano PD said in a statement. “The officer completed an offense report which was followed up by our Crimes Against Persons Unit the next day. The victim told detectives that the male attempted to knock her phone from her hand but failed to do so, but he did slap her hand. The woman said she was not injured by the slap and it did not hurt, but she did feel threatened by the male’s actions. After speaking with the victim and the suspect, and reviewing video footage of the incident, detectives filed an Assault-by-Contact charge with the Municipal Court against the male suspect.”
Police also addressed rumors that a protestor pointed a firearm at the male subject that confronted the crowd.
“These reports are false,” according to the Police statement. “A protestor pointed an electronic control device at the male subject in an effort to protect the female from being further assaulted by the male. Officers on scene confirmed that the device was not a firearm. Electronic control devices can be purchased without a permit or license and the person who pointed the device did not commit a criminal offense by doing so. It is regrettable that so many people have falsely reported on this incident over social media.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lashed out at Plano Police leadership earlier this week, calling in to question why the motorist was arrested but none of the protesters were apprehended.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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