Be the Leader You Want to See
By Justice Lori Massey Brissette, Fourth Court of Appeals
Recently, I posted on Facebook a simple question: “Where are our leaders?”
I asked that question because, in the face of the death of three tourists in downtown San Antonio, our leaders have been silent. I asked that question because, as a mother whose son was also killed downtown in 2023, I want to know we have leaders who care.
The post was shared by many and ultimately got the attention of the news media. Turns out the issue is much deeper than I thought.
This isn’t about politicians who don’t care about violence in our streets. It’s about a faction of our population that has made public safety a political stance.
What is political about wanting our neighborhoods to be free of gangs and random acts of violence? What is controversial about wanting to protect downtown as a tourist destination and, therefore, our city’s economy?
It is absolutely reasonable to expect a city or county leader, in the aftermath of the kinds of incidents we’ve seen recently, the kinds of incidents we see all around San Antonio, to pound their fist on the table and say, “Not in my city!”
So why haven’t they? This is what I’ve come to learn: supporting law enforcement has become politically risky.
It is so because a negative social narrative has evolved around our police officers. So it’s not surprising that political leaders want to stay away from a subject that draws criticism, especially when those offering the criticism are louder and more active than those offering support.
I agree that there are hotly contested political issues at play once you get into how we address crime. And, I’m not taking a stance on any of those issues, but whether we address crime? That should be a non-negotiable for each and every one of us.
As a judge on the Fourth Court of Appeals – a court with civil, criminal and family law jurisdiction across 32 counties – I have to stay objective and impartial as matters come before me. And, I am absolutely committed to doing so.
But, on issues we should all agree on, I choose to be loud and proud. I do so because someone needs to start driving a counter-narrative that calls on our legal system to work as it should to address crime.
So here it goes. I’ll be the leader who pounds her fist on the table and says, “Not in my city!”
I shout these things from this proverbial rooftop:
– I believe public safety should be our number one concern;
– I believe law enforcement should be supported and encouraged to do their job;
– I believe the district attorney and law enforcement should work together to prosecute cases to the full extent of the law; and,
– I believe judges should work hard to provide a fair and impartial proceeding that protects the innocent and holds the guilty accountable.
Did the second point make you pause? That’s the point. That’s what we have to address. That’s a pretty innocuous statement – at least it used to be.
By saying that am I failing to recognize the need for providing more advantages to underserved populations where crime is higher? Of course not. Am I saying that police activity should go unchecked? Of course not.
These are the questions that divide us. Let’s get back to what we agree on.
Failing to support our law enforcement leaves them ineffective, and ineffective policing leaves crime unchecked and justice unserved.
We will see on November 5th (when judges and other political leaders are up for election) which group is louder – those who let politics get in the way of public safety or those who refuse to do so.
You know which side I’m on.
The views and opinions expressed in the is guest editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of InfuseSA. InfuseSA shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies represented in guest editorials.