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After the meeting was over, I wasn't sure if he was going to bolt or talk with people, so we sort of hovered. He was in the hall way of ACC when I overheard Art talking to John and saying that, "Oh, so you're a "Constitutionalist?" And that surprised me, because aren't police officers sworn in to uphold and defend the Constitution? Shouldn't you have said "Oh so you're a Constitutionalist like me?"
He came over closer to me and we started talking about the Federal Grant.
I asked him how many more police officers were in the budget for next year. He said, "24". I asked him why not make it 22 and hire three fulltime phlebotomists? He said, "Then I would lose 2 police officers." I was like we live in the 4th safest city in the nation? Are we having a problem getting to 911 calls or something? How does 2 more police officers make us more safer? Is having more police the only thing that make us safe?
I cant remember everything verbatim but these are the things I can remember that I spoke with him about.
I let him know I was disappointed that we had to call the public forum, that he did not do it when he said before that he would get the publics opinion. His response to this was, "Oh I am going to go the pubic forum, I never back down to any public forum" I said I know, but WE HAD TO DO IT, not you. That was disappointing"
We talked about the federal grant, and he let us know that in getting the federal money it depends on what the "Federal Grant gives them" on what they can do. (this was very confusing and we asked him numerous times to explain but he did not elaborate except: I GOT HIM TO ADMIT THAT HE HAD ALREADY APPLIED FOR THE FEDERAL GRANT!!!!! I asked him if we could get a copy of that Grant. He started stuttering a bit and looked to his assistant, and John Bush let him know that we had already requested a copy of it with using the Open Records Act and said he was told that no one had applied for one yet. After asking some questions to his assistant, Ana Sabana, Chief said, "Oh, I will have to get back with you."
He said, "You know whats wrong with the country right now? Extremism" I said, "No Art what is wrong with this country is Apathy" I also asked him, "So tell me Art, what is more extreme? Forcibly taking someones blood/DNA or upholding the constitution and civil liberties?" He didn't have much to say!
He also asked if we have heard of Alex Jones. Yes.He said, "Well I believe many of those conspiracy issues! I really do, I can't tell you which ones...but I do believe in many of them." All I said, "Was I believe you do." (Of course he believes..he's bringing it right here to Austin!)
He asked for my name three times in the conversation and twice I only replied, "Katie". On the third time, I told him Katie Brewer and gave him my card. When I was getting out the card he said, "What do you do?". I said, I am a home school mom, and I have an internet radio show." He was like...OHHHHH :) Yep. I winked at him. (on looking back not sure if I should of just remained Katie or given him my info...??? )
I am a passionate person, I speak with my hands, I try to stay positive. Halfway through the conversation he said, "You shouldn't get so emotional." But I wasn't. I was fine! I loved being able to talk with him! I was not ugly with him, and joked with him when I could. I even told him, he was a very likable guy and very slick! He said, "Thank you!" I let him know that I did appreciate some of the things he was doing in Austin: being more transparent, trying to spend less of the City's money, and holding police accountable, however, I did let him know on the three issues of: Federal Grants for blood drawing, security cameras, and DNA storage I do not agree with him and will to not let those get implemented. He told me that the City Council has to approve it. I was like great we can really make this an issue with the election!
Some things he said INSIDE the meeting with the Oak Hill Residents...He was asked by John Bush: "Speaking about fiscal responsibility how fiscally responsible do you think it is that you want to take a part of this federal money?" He said, "If they are going to give it, I am going to take it!"
I got the last question, "So say that I get pulled over and refuse a breathalyzer and the blood test, what will you do?" He said, "Well, are you drunk?" I said, "Thats what you are trying to find out." He said, "Well are you are flailing your arms about?" I said, "I don't know, maybe." He said, "Oh well then we wouldnt take your blood." But then said, "If you just refused, yes we have a strap that we would tie down your arm and take it." So I said, "So you WOULD force someone to give their blood. Ok."
He also let us know that there will be a "All crimes fusion database facility opening in December." First I have heard about it.
BTW, Austin is the 4th SAFEST place to live in the country (without all the big brother federal grants) and DWI's DECREASED 10% last year!
I let him know it WAS not because he did ONE no refusal weekend in October!
Another quote from Acevedo from the meeting, "Activism can be a double edged sword, depending on what you're trying to get done"...Nice. Wonder what he means by that specifically??
Please Austinites!!! Come to City Hall March 30th from 6-8pm to let the Chief and City Council you do NOT want this Federal Grant (or any Federal Grant for that matter used to further the police state) to be implemented in Austin!
This is all I can remember at the moment, I will add more if I remember it.
Katie
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