ASK A COP — What is allowed with a citizen’s arrest? – Port Arthur News

Carol from Port Arthur asks: My husband and I began discussing citizen arrests within the state of Texas. Neither of us might factually give particulars about what permits a citizen the facility of arrest. Might you please clear up what’s a citizen’s arrest and when a citizen can arrest.

Officer Rickey Antoine

Reply: Everyone is absolutely conscious of the facility of arrest that’s entrusted in law enforcement officials within the state of Texas, however the state of Texas additionally empowers ANY particular person to arrest WITHOUT a warrant. These arrests by ANY particular person solely pertain to felonies  dedicated of their presence or any crime in opposition to public peace. So this tells anybody who could need to have an effect on a citizen’s arrest that they should abreast themselves with the felony and misdemeanor offenses within the state of Texas. A vital ingredient to the facility of arrest by citizen is “it MUST be witnessed by the particular person affecting the citizen’s arrest.” In my view, citizen arrests ought to NOT be a apply non peace officers are striving to conduct.

Because of the unpredictable and violent nature of most felonies and offenses in opposition to the general public peace, it might most likely be in the very best curiosity to be “A GOOD WITNESS” than to truly become involved and try to apprehend a suspect. Suspects every day push, assault, hit, run from, lower, stab, shoot, the very best type of regulation enforcement in our state — uniformed law enforcement officials. It doesn’t take a genius to guess what they might do to a citizen who tries to apprehend or cease their escape after committing a felonious crime. Don’t get me incorrect, your Port Arthur Police Division and all of our surrounding regulation enforcement companies are thrilled that now we have courageous residents who would step as much as help. However we might moderately you and others be SAFE and provides an in depth description of the actor(s)/suspect(s), like clothes, race, intercourse, car description, course of journey and what CRIME(S) you noticed! Now, if somebody ought to occur to have an effect on a citizen’s arrest, they need to try to restrain/detain and maintain them with out utilizing extreme power till law enforcement officials arrive.

Darryl from Port Arthur asks: As I journey alongside the procuring heart the place Walmart, Lowe’s, and Academy is, I’ve observed a number of cease indicators aren’t fairly legible. I’ve all the time thought cease indicators had been presupposed to be extremely seen. The lettering on the cease signal is tough to make out, so if I don’t cease for the cease signal, can I obtain a ticket for that? If a crash happens, can I be held at fault for NOT stopping for a white cease signal if its presupposed to be visibly RED?

Reply: I thanks for bringing this cease signal concern within the Lowe’s car parking zone space to my consideration. It’s my perception, as nicely, that cease indicators are presupposed to be RED. You’re right. there are a number of “cease indicators” that was once pink and as a result of parts of climate, some my not be legible. A police officer can NOT cite (ticket) you for operating a RED cease signal on non-public property, a lot much less for operating a non legible cease signal. A non legible signal is NOT a cease signal. After all, it has the right form however the incorrect coloration, that will be equal to having a white cease mild.

Here’s a listing of signage in Texas that we are able to all profit from: Warning Indicators are Yellow and orange, Normally diamonds, pentagons and spherical indicators Point out surprising circumstances or adjustments Regulatory Indicators are Purple, black and white, Normally triangles, octagons and vertical rectangles, Show visitors laws- Indicators That Information are Inexperienced, blue and brown, Normally horizontal rectangles, Present useful or attention-grabbing info. I’ll contact administration of the property and advise them of their want for them to get these indicators changed earlier than somebody strolling will get injured or autos maintain property injury from a collision. Thanks for being a part of the motoring answer in Southeast Texas.

Tina from Lake Charles asks: I commute from Lake Charles to Port Arthur every day, however I’m serious about relocating to Port Arthur. What do I must do to get a Texas Driver’s License? I hope I don’t need to take the driving half over, as a result of I’m so past that. Assist!

Reply: Welcome to Port Arthur! We hope you’ll be able to transfer right here or to any of the encompassing communities., I’ll put your coronary heart comfy and allow you to know you’ll NOT need to retake the behind-the-wheel portion to be issued a Texas Driver’s License. In the event you at present have an unexpired out-of-state license, you will want to go to the Division of Public Security workplace and apply for a Texas license. It’s vital to recollect Texas permits a brand new out-of-state resident as much as 90 days to get a Texas Driver’s License. You’ll need to deliver your proof of residency, social safety card, Texas registration for autos and proof of insurance coverage. As soon as you’re a Texan, the clock begins ticking and you’ve got 90 days.

Be part of Me, Officer Antoine and the CREW Stephen “Buzzard Boots” Mosley, Lelo “mouth of Hwy 69/73” I Washington & Tejas “Lil Man”Morning Star for Ask A Cop reside on KSAP 96.9 FM The Breeze each Tuesday from 1 to three p.m. and past. Name in questions at 409-982-0247. You too can e-mail inquiries to [email protected] or go away a voicemail at 409-983-8673. Mail them to Ofc. Rickey Antoine, 645 4th Road, Port Arthur, Texas, 77640. In the event you occur to see me in public, you’ll be able to all the time “Ask A Cop!”