By BJ Austin, KERA News
Dallas, TX – Dallas Police officials say the department's restrictive chase policy worked even though the suspect was finally stopped next to a runway at Love Field last month.
Police Chief David Brown told council members no one was injured in the pursuit of Michael Browne, who was considered armed and dangerous.
But Councilman Dave Neumann says that's not the kind of person he wants running through neighborhoods and traffic for an "hour" with police in tow. Councilman Sheffie Kadane had another concern.
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Kadane: My main concern is how easy it was for a vehicle like that to penetrate the perimeter of Love Field.
Councilman Ron Natinsky warned against second-guessing the officers actually involved in the chase. And he says the city's chase policy, with its strict guidelines, DID protect the public.
D-A Convinces County Commissioners To Save Jobs
Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins says he's saved 25 jobs in his office.
They were among more than 200 layoffs in the 2011 budget up for approval next week.
Watkins rallied employees and community members at Commissioners Court yesterday. He called for Commissioners to take money from their individual Road and Bridge funds to save the jobs.
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Watkins: We can build roads later. But public safety is the number one concern, so use your Road and Bridge funds to make sure we at least have the necessities.
It'll take two million dollars to save the District Attorney jobs. Watkins and county officials will be meeting over the next couple of days to work it out.
Azle Residents Must Boil Water
Azle is under a "boil water" notice.
Fire Chief Thomas Scott says a 16 inch water main break is the reason.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says Azle residents should boil water for drinking, cooking, and making ice to ensure destruction of bacteria and other microbes that may have contaminated the system.
City officials say repairs will take a number of hours. Residents will be notified with the boil water order is lifted.
Letters Released In Dallas Congresswoman Scholarship Rules Violation
Dallas Democratic Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson reportedly asked that Congressional Black Caucus scholarship funds go directly to her grandsons instead of their colleges.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Johnson's challenger released letters today that appear to have the Congresswoman's signature on them.
Johnson said last week that she unknowingly violated the rules on scholarships, and repaid 31 thousand dollars that went to her two grandsons, two great nephews and two children of a top aide.
So far, no word on how the Black Caucus Foundation handled the letters, and whether the money went directly to the grandsons.