Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings Says He's More Afraid of White Terrorists Than Syrian Refugees Mic

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings Says He's More Afraid of White Terrorists Than Syrian Refugees

Mic

Zeeshan Aleem 3 hours ago

Who's afraid of Syrian refugees? Not the mayor of Dallas.

On Saturday, Mayor Mike Rawlings told MSNBC that the United States should welcome refugees from the civil-war-ravaged country. He also acknowledged there are bigger homegrown threats to be worried about.

"I am more fearful of large gatherings of white men that come into schools, theaters and shoot people up, but we don't isolate young white men on this issue," Rawlings said in response to questions about the possibility of terrorists slipping into the country through refugee programs. "I was out in the streets last night in Dallas looking at a great part of town that has had some recent robberies. Those are the things that mayors are concerned about."

Source: MSNBC

Rawlings said that he didn't think concerns about security should interfere with the way entire foreign communities are perceived in the U.S.

"This is a big issue, and we as a nation must step up and make sure we are secure but we must not do things that change the soul of who are are," Rawlings said. "We've got to use the words carefully to show [Muslim Syrian refugees] that we care about them. ISIS is no more Islamic than the Nazi senior staff was Christian."

The mayor declared faith in the rigorous screening process for refugees entering the U.S., which includes thorough security checks, in-person interviews and cultural orientation. The application process can take as long as 18 months, and refugees from Syria are subject to an extra layer of specialized screening.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings Says He's More Afraid of White Terrorists Than Syrian Refugees

Source: Mic/Getty Images

The Migration Policy Institute reports that refugees have virtually no recent history of planning or executing terrorist attacks.

"The United States has resettled 784,000 refugees since September 11, 2001," a report by the institute said. "In those 14 years, exactly three resettled refugees have been arrested for planning terrorist activities and it is worth noting two were not planning an attack in the United States and the plans of the third were barely credible."

Rawlings' fears about mass shootings by white men is based on the fact that a majority of the hundreds of mass shootings in recent years are carried out by white men.

The mayor's point was tragically illustrated overnight by the shooting of five protesters at a Black Lives Matter rally in Minneapolis. Police are searching for three white males who they suspect opened fire at the demonstration, which was held to protest the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Jamar Clark earlier in November.

Jamil Smith, a senior editor at the New Republic, succinctly put it best:

[Expat1 971]

He's a democrat. He better pander to his constituency and ignore the stats and say that if he wants to keep his job.

At 165 crimes per square mile, vs. 37.9 national median, and 42.48 crimes per 1000 residents, vs. national median 27.3, Dallas is becoming another democratic party utopia. So yeah, fear of white terrorists would be a solid pillar of a perfect re-election platform in such a magical location and we should all drop what we are doing and stand in breathless awe of Mike Rawlings' achievements in creating a safe and family-oriented community.

Edited November 24, 2015 by Expat1

[Rob L 3,811]

He's a democrat. He better pander to his constituency and ignore the stats and say that if he wants to keep his job.

At 165 crimes per square mile, vs. 37.9 national median, and 42.48 crimes per 1000 residents, vs. national median 27.3, Dallas is becoming another democratic party utopia. So yeah, fear of white terrorists would be a solid pillar of a perfect re-election platform in such a magical location and we should all drop what we are doing and stand in breathless awe of Mike Rawlings' achievements in creating a safe and family-oriented community.

Dallas murder rate falls to lowest point since 1930

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File 2014/Staff Photo

Robbery-motivated slayings in Dallas were cut nearly in half last year from 2013. Domestic violence killings also were down, but the city saw an increase in aggravated assaults.

By TRISTAN HALLMAN thallman@dallasnews.com

Staff Writer

Published: 07 January 2015 11:25 PM

Updated: 08 January 2015 09:04 AM

Related

• Dallas Police Association optimistic about future with new DA

Dallas’ 2014 murder rate was its lowest since 1930 — the year Bonnie and Clyde met at a West Dallas house party.

And the Dallas Police Department’s preliminary count of 116 murders last year — there is one unexplained death awaiting a ruling — would be the lowest yearly murder tally since 1965. It’s also a notable drop from the 143 murders in 2013 and it’s fewer than half the murders recorded in 2004.

Police officials say their crime-fighting and crime-prevention strategies have played a major role in reducing homicides, the rarest of major crimes. Others say outside variables — medical advancements, changing demographics and better social services — deserve much of the credit.

But they all are marveling at the figures.

“I’m really amazed at how low that number has gotten,” said Dallas ISD Police Chief Craig Miller, who became a Dallas police officer in 1982 and later headed the homicide unit.

Miller said police technology, such as surveillance cameras, has helped deter criminals. He also said paramedics and better trauma care have played big roles. Dallas Fire-Rescue has touted improved response times in recent years. And officers also are now equipped with tourniquets and gauze. One officer used the aids last week to help save a gunshot victim in South Dallas.

Police officials will brief City Council members on the murder drop during a retreat next week, although they already are dealing with eight slayings in the first seven days of 2015. Still, they are taking stock of last year’s murder figure — one they couldn’t imagine in previous years.

For every 100,000 people, the city tallied just over nine murders last year. That is still slightly above the 2013 national average for cities of more than 1 million people but is far better than murder havens Flint, Mich., and Detroit, where about 48 and 45 people out of every 100,000 are slain, respectively. And many similar-size cities aren’t reporting such significant drops. Some are reporting upticks.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

He's a democrat. He better pander to his constituency and ignore the stats and say that if he wants to keep his job.

At 165 crimes per square mile, vs. 37.9 national median, and 42.48 crimes per 1000 residents, vs. national median 27.3, Dallas is becoming another democratic party utopia. So yeah, fear of white terrorists would be a solid pillar of a perfect re-election platform in such a magical location and we should all drop what we are doing and stand in breathless awe of Mike Rawlings' achievements in creating a safe and family-oriented community.

But yet oddly is infinitely more likely by odds to be killed by a black man, than a white man . However I am sure his statement keeps the base worked up

[Expat1 971]

Dallas murder rate falls to lowest point since 1930

Facebook

Twitter

Email

21Comment

Print

File 2014/Staff Photo

Robbery-motivated slayings in Dallas were cut nearly in half last year from 2013. Domestic violence killings also were down, but the city saw an increase in aggravated assaults.

By TRISTAN HALLMAN thallman@dallasnews.com

Staff Writer

Published: 07 January 2015 11:25 PM

Updated: 08 January 2015 09:04 AM

Related

• Dallas Police Association optimistic about future with new DA

Dallas’ 2014 murder rate was its lowest since 1930 — the year Bonnie and Clyde met at a West Dallas house party.

And the Dallas Police Department’s preliminary count of 116 murders last year — there is one unexplained death awaiting a ruling — would be the lowest yearly murder tally since 1965. It’s also a notable drop from the 143 murders in 2013 and it’s fewer than half the murders recorded in 2004.

Police officials say their crime-fighting and crime-prevention strategies have played a major role in reducing homicides, the rarest of major crimes. Others say outside variables — medical advancements, changing demographics and better social services — deserve much of the credit.

But they all are marveling at the figures.

“I’m really amazed at how low that number has gotten,” said Dallas ISD Police Chief Craig Miller, who became a Dallas police officer in 1982 and later headed the homicide unit.

Miller said police technology, such as surveillance cameras, has helped deter criminals. He also said paramedics and better trauma care have played big roles. Dallas Fire-Rescue has touted improved response times in recent years. And officers also are now equipped with tourniquets and gauze. One officer used the aids last week to help save a gunshot victim in South Dallas.

Police officials will brief City Council members on the murder drop during a retreat next week, although they already are dealing with eight slayings in the first seven days of 2015. Still, they are taking stock of last year’s murder figure — one they couldn’t imagine in previous years.

For every 100,000 people, the city tallied just over nine murders last year. That is still slightly above the 2013 national average for cities of more than 1 million people but is far better than murder havens Flint, Mich., and Detroit, where about 48 and 45 people out of every 100,000 are slain, respectively. And many similar-size cities aren’t reporting such significant drops. Some are reporting upticks.

How exciting. Not really what they said in June, 2015

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/06/22/dallas-murder-rate-on-the-rise/

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – 22 in 22 days.

That’s the number of homicides in Dallas already during the month of June, as an alarming 18 percent increase continues to raise concerns about what’s causing it.

Last June there were seven homicides in Dallas.

As the new cases pile up, so does the backlog of unsolved ones. They are victims of robbery and domestic violence.

“I think it’s so sad just how much killing is going on here in Dallas,” says Vanessa Cranford, the mother of a murder victim from three years ago.

AS I said, a democratic utopia in the making. Mayor better focus the city on those elusive "white terrorists" rather than focus on those raised "what's causing this" concerns.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Expat1

[Rob L 3,811]

How exciting. Not really what they said in June, 2015

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/06/22/dallas-murder-rate-on-the-rise/

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – 22 in 22 days.

That’s the number of homicides in Dallas already during the month of June, as an alarming 18 percent increase continues to raise concerns about what’s causing it.

Last June there were seven homicides in Dallas.

As the new cases pile up, so does the backlog of unsolved ones. They are victims of robbery and domestic violence.

“I think it’s so sad just how much killing is going on here in Dallas,” says Vanessa Cranford, the mother of a murder victim from three years ago.

AS I said, a democratic utopia in the making. Mayor better focus the city on those elusive "white terrorists" rather than focus on those raised "what's causing this" concerns.

Is the current murder rate, higher or lower than 2014?

Edited November 25, 2015 by Rob L

[Expat1 971]

Is the current murder rate, higher or lower than 2014?

Beats me. I'm not getting into a long-winded crime discussion with a guy named "Rob" LOL

State reporting reflects the following murder rate for Dallas:

DALLAS PD 1272396 TXDPD0000

Number of Offenses 116

Rate Per 100,000 9.1

The national murder rate for 2014 was 4.5

As noted earlier, a democratic utopia to achieve "only" twice the national murder rate

Are we going to play this game all day?

Edited November 25, 2015 by Expat1

[Expat1 971]

Is the current murder rate, higher or lower than 2014?

Oh. I forgot. Texas was 4.4, slightly below average.

So Dallas, that liberal utopia, is 207% higher than the rest of the state. Yes. "White terrorists" should be their top concern.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I believe this is the terrorist the Mayor is referring to.

Suspected Gunman Claims to Secede, Establish Country of Dougiestan in 911 Call By Scott Gordon and Julie Fine

View Comments (18)

Raw video from jailhouse interview with Douglas Leguin, the man suspected of firing shots at first responders Monday in north Dallas. (Published Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014)

Police continue to investigate the man suspected of shooting at first responders Monday in North Dallas, and in a 911 call the man indicated a desire to start his own country.

Douglas Leguin faces seven counts of aggravated assault on a public servant after he allegedly fired several rounds at firefighters as they responded to a dumpster fire near Frankford Road and North Forty Place.

• UPDATEDSuspected Gunman Arrested in Dallas: Police

Leguin then went into a nearby wooded area, where he stayed until surrendering to police tactical officers.

In an audio recording released Tuesday of a 911 call Leguin placed from the scene, he is overheard telling the dispatcher he wanted to secede.

Suspected Gunman Planned to Secede: 911 Call

Dallas police released an audio recording of a 911 call allegedly placed by the man suspected of firing gunshots at firefighters in North Dallas. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

"I'm Dougie Doug and I just seceded from the nation," the caller said. "I've seceded from the nation. This is now Dougiestan right here."

"I'm pissed off at America. America is broke. It's got a sorry government, and the people won't vote," the caller continued.

AUDIO: 911 Call Between Suspected Gunman and Police

WARNING: Explicit Language Dallas police released the audio of the 911 call between them and Doug Leguin, the man suspected of firing shots at Dallas first responders. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

Also on Monday, Corinth police got a call from Leguin's wife, saying an AK-47 and ammunition were missing from the couple's Denton County home.

"She then starts conducting some more inventory of the house, so to speak, and she noticed that in the garage all the propane cylinders and canisters had been removed as well," said Corinth Assistant Police Chief Greg Wilkerson.

New Details on North Dallas Suspected Gunman

Investigators have released more details in the case of a man suspected of firing shots at first responders in North Dallas. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

Bomb squad investigators located several suspicious devices allegedly left behind at the scene where Leguin was arrested, including what appeared to be propane tanks. Those devices were detonated and rendered safe, police said.

Leguin remains in jail Tuesday, but Tuesday morning a flag outside of his Denton County house was upside-down, a move which traditionally is done to signal distress. By afternoon, it was turned right side up.

Man Faces Charges After Shots Fired in Dallas

A man has been taken into custody after gunshots aimed at a fire engine led to an armed standoff Monday afternoon in a residential area in Far North Dallas. (Published Monday, Aug. 11, 2014)

"I looked at that flag before, and I don't remember it being upside-down. Certainly it is today," said Randy Watkins, whose daughter lives directly across the street from the home.

People who live in Leguin's neighborhood were shocked to find out he is accused of shooting at police officers and firefighters.

Suspected North Dallas Gunman Arrested: Police

Dallas police say a suspect has been arrested after an investigation into shots fired Monday afternoon in Far North Dallas. (Published Monday, Aug. 11, 2014)

"He is very grandparent-like. Passive, soft spoken," said neighbor Tosha Price.

Published at 6:27 PM CST on Aug 12, 2014

[Expat1 971]

With all of this fear of white terrorists I am wondering why he's offering personal jelly rolls if please only please they will hold the RNC in his city

[smilesammich 10,727]

can someone explain to me how dallas is a liberal utopia? texas has only one liberal utopia that i'm aware of..

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

But yet oddly is infinitely more likely by odds to be killed by a black man, than a white man . However I am sure his statement keeps the base worked up

Stats show as a white male, he's more likely to be killed by another white male.

[GandD 5,966]

Oh. I forgot. Texas was 4.4, slightly below average.

So Dallas, that liberal utopia, is 207% higher than the rest of the state. Yes. "White terrorists" should be their top concern.

I thought Austin was the liberal utopia in Texas.

[TBoneTX 47,783]

"Keep Austin Weird."

[Expat1 971]

I believe this is the terrorist the Mayor is referring to.

Suspected Gunman Claims to Secede, Establish Country of Dougiestan in 911 Call By Scott Gordon and Julie Fine

View Comments (18)

Raw video from jailhouse interview with Douglas Leguin, the man suspected of firing shots at first responders Monday in north Dallas. (Published Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014)

Police continue to investigate the man suspected of shooting at first responders Monday in North Dallas, and in a 911 call the man indicated a desire to start his own country.

Douglas Leguin faces seven counts of aggravated assault on a public servant after he allegedly fired several rounds at firefighters as they responded to a dumpster fire near Frankford Road and North Forty Place.

• UPDATEDSuspected Gunman Arrested in Dallas: Police

Leguin then went into a nearby wooded area, where he stayed until surrendering to police tactical officers.

In an audio recording released Tuesday of a 911 call Leguin placed from the scene, he is overheard telling the dispatcher he wanted to secede.

Suspected Gunman Planned to Secede: 911 Call

Dallas police released an audio recording of a 911 call allegedly placed by the man suspected of firing gunshots at firefighters in North Dallas. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

"I'm Dougie Doug and I just seceded from the nation," the caller said. "I've seceded from the nation. This is now Dougiestan right here."

"I'm pissed off at America. America is broke. It's got a sorry government, and the people won't vote," the caller continued.

AUDIO: 911 Call Between Suspected Gunman and Police

WARNING: Explicit Language Dallas police released the audio of the 911 call between them and Doug Leguin, the man suspected of firing shots at Dallas first responders. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

Also on Monday, Corinth police got a call from Leguin's wife, saying an AK-47 and ammunition were missing from the couple's Denton County home.

"She then starts conducting some more inventory of the house, so to speak, and she noticed that in the garage all the propane cylinders and canisters had been removed as well," said Corinth Assistant Police Chief Greg Wilkerson.

New Details on North Dallas Suspected Gunman

Investigators have released more details in the case of a man suspected of firing shots at first responders in North Dallas. (Published Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014)

Bomb squad investigators located several suspicious devices allegedly left behind at the scene where Leguin was arrested, including what appeared to be propane tanks. Those devices were detonated and rendered safe, police said.

Leguin remains in jail Tuesday, but Tuesday morning a flag outside of his Denton County house was upside-down, a move which traditionally is done to signal distress. By afternoon, it was turned right side up.

Man Faces Charges After Shots Fired in Dallas

A man has been taken into custody after gunshots aimed at a fire engine led to an armed standoff Monday afternoon in a residential area in Far North Dallas. (Published Monday, Aug. 11, 2014)

"I looked at that flag before, and I don't remember it being upside-down. Certainly it is today," said Randy Watkins, whose daughter lives directly across the street from the home.

People who live in Leguin's neighborhood were shocked to find out he is accused of shooting at police officers and firefighters.

Suspected North Dallas Gunman Arrested: Police

Dallas police say a suspect has been arrested after an investigation into shots fired Monday afternoon in Far North Dallas. (Published Monday, Aug. 11, 2014)

"He is very grandparent-like. Passive, soft spoken," said neighbor Tosha Price.

Published at 6:27 PM CST on Aug 12, 2014

So let me get this straight: They had to reach back past what - 180, 200 murders ago to find a "white terrorist who didn't kill anybody" to be afraid of?

Edited November 25, 2015 by Expat1