Local police serve with heavy hearts following Dallas shooting
With the murder of five Dallas officers on their minds, local police in our desert are still hard at work protecting and serving.
“Even though it is in Dallas, that is still very close in our community,” said Mike Casavan, vice president of the Palm Springs Police Officers’ Association. “Police officers dying in any city, even if they may be thousands of miles away it hits you hard.”
The flag flies at half-staff in front of the Palm Springs Police Department, in reverence for the officers killed in a sniper attack at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas. The protest started after two videos showing white officers shoot and kill two black men, one in Louisiana and one in Minnesota, went viral. Now, police across the country are on high alert.
“It is always on our mind. We try to be vigilant and try to be aware of the things going on around us at all times. Unfortunately, things like this are just a grim reminder of how we need to be more alert on a daily basis,” said Casavan.
Casavan has been in law enforcement for more than 10 years. Tragedies like what happened in Dallas are especially hard on police officer’s families.
“Talking about it is really the best remedy, and personally my wife and I talked about it. I try to assure her that I am going to do everything I can to be alert and be aware,” said Casavan.
Officers with PSPD have their hands full this weekend. The Mongol Motorcycle Club is having it’s annual meetup at the Palm Springs Hilton. Officers from agencies across the Coachella Valley are patrolling the area where this potentially dangerous biker gang is staying.
