Law enforcement intelligence officials have put out a warning that someone has sent a text calling on people to kill “all white police officers” in reaction to the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore police custody, raising fears violence could spread nationally, according to safety memos obtained by The Washington Times.
Officers are being warned of possible ambushes and urged to change travel patterns and to tone down clothes or emblems that identify them as police.
The Baltimore police department separately put out a press release on Monday saying various gangs, including the Black Guerrilla Family, Bloods and Crips “have entered into a partnership to ‘take out’ law enforcement.”
A memo from the West Virginia Intelligence Fusion Center is more specific, saying the gangs’ targets are white officers. Its report quotes another memo from the Eastern Shore Information Center in Salisbury, Md.
“Law enforcement officers are reminded to remain vigilant when conducting traffic stops and in general contact with citizens,” says the West Virginia center, which monitors criminals.
The Eastern Shore center “officer safety bulletin” states that the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office received information from a citizen who received a text with a Chicago area code.
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The text said, “Kill all white police officers!! As many as you can!! Bunch of thugs with badges!!”
The Eastern Shore center took the text seriously enough to send out a warning to officers.
The guidance states, “Law enforcement officers are encouraged to remain vigilant when conducting traffic stops or other ‘routine’ contacts with citizens. Officers should be mindful of suspicious calls for service that maybe be conducive of an ambush.”
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.
• Maggie Ybarra can be reached at mybarra@washingtontimes.com.
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