Texans Taking The Law Into Their Own Hands: Police Say Call Them Instead
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, a group of residents in Northeast El Paso took down an alleged intruder, detaining him until police arrived. The video, shared by FitFam El Paso, has sparked an intense debate: Is it safer to wait for police—or take matters into your own hands? For many, the answer isn’t simple.
Citizen’s Arrests: Legal, But Complicated
Under Texas law, citizen’s arrests are legal. Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 14.01 allows you to arrest someone if you see them commit a crime. But there are two big rules:
- The force used must be reasonable.
- You must turn the person over to police as quickly as possible.
Local defense attorney Brock Benjamin explained the risks of this law: "The question is whether you did it too forcefully... Reasonableness is usually determined after the fact." In other words, if someone later decides you were too rough, you could face legal consequences.
Why Residents Are Stepping In
While the law is clear, the reality on the ground can feel very different. In this case, one resident summed up the community’s frustration: “Sometimes it’s up to the community to police their own community. You don’t want to depend on the cops.”
It’s a growing sentiment: Many residents believe police response times are too slow, and even when officers do arrive, the results might not bring justice. In moments of urgency, waiting simply isn’t an option for some people.
That frustration often outweighs the risks. People would rather face danger themselves than watch a crime unfold while help is still on the way—or, in some cases, never comes at all.
Police: “Leave Arrests to Us”
El Paso Police Detective Judy Oviedo understands why people feel the need to act, but she stresses that stepping in can lead to serious consequences.
“You have to be aware of civil liability and maybe criminal liability as well,” she said. The safest course of action? Call the police, back away, and document what’s happening.
Still, Oviedo acknowledged that sometimes people act to prevent immediate harm. If that’s the case, any action taken must be done “within reason.”
A Community Caught Between Frustration and Caution
The incident in Northeast El Paso highlights a deeper issue: Many residents feel like they have no choice but to step in when crime hits close to home. While Texas law allows citizen’s arrests, the risks—legal and physical—are real.
Is it worth it? For some, the answer is “yes.”
For the full story and to watch the video, check out KFOX’s original article here.
Texas Police Codes with Descriptions
Gallery Credit: Nick
Cops and Doughnuts
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