Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson suggested Arlington is a source of terrorist activity because of UTA in a video posted Thursday on Facebook.
“We certainly recognize that no place in the country is immune to that problem. I don’t think it's any secret for anybody who’s lived here very long to know that in Tarrant County, the hot bed of that kind of activity is Arlington because of UTA and what that brings to that world,” Anderson said in the video. “We are certainly mindful of what’s going on. We participate in every type of organization designed to monitor and prevent terrorism.”
Anderson, who is the incumbent in the current race for Tarrant County Sheriff, made the remarks at a Mansfield Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum on Thursday. It is unclear what provoked the remarks. The Shorthorn reached out to Anderson's campaign for context at noon Friday through email, social media and by phone but did not receive a response by press time.
President Vistasp Karbhari spoke with Anderson who assured him that his words lacked context and were not directed at UTA, according to an email sent to the university community Friday.
"He has the highest respect for the university," Karbhari said in the email.
Students’ safety and well-being are important to university leadership, according to the email. UTA Police Department is committed to serving the community and citied a 40 percent drop in reported crime between 2014 and 2015, according to the email.
“We are exceptionally proud of the positive impact UTA has on our communities,” Karbhari said in the email. “The diversity of our student population, and the international engagement we bring as a top national research university, strengthens the North Texas region and drives our economy.”
The runoff election for Tarrant County Sheriff is May 24. Anderson is running against Bill Waybourn, retired chief of public safety for Dalworthington Gardens police department.
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It really entertains me to read all the comments from this story. I can see that not a one that left a comment actually know what this is all about. People seem to like pointing fingers at each other and then there's the blame game. It is very entertaining to say the least. One of these days, if the media informs us correctly with all information instead of a point of view, then I suppose one of you might have a clue as to what the real message is.
What a trogolodyte? Rednecks like him are the terrorists who killed the land owners (the Indians), and used, and abused, manifest destiny, adding lands from alaska...all the way to hawaii, guam, and the samoa islands...222 wars, where only a handful are legally declared...Ironically, the Americans are the ones who are war-hungry, sending their cia thugs to start wars all over the globe...
Gotta act like a complete moron ( the sheriff) to confuse the constituency right babe?
It's completely implausible that in a large group of people who constantly trash the United States, who have religious leaders spouting anti-American sentiments, when you have terrorist attacks in Garland, Texas because of drawings, when those large groups of students are linking up with local "religious" groups that are being populated by "immigrants" crossing the southern border unchecked, that there could possibly be any kind of activity leading to violent extremism... Yeah right. Anyone with an IQ above room temperature knows that inherently there is some activity, at least this guy had the Cajones to say it.
The shorthorn should report on the ISIS camp just south of El Paso in Mexico. Really insane stuff. Mexican drug cartels are helping to sneak "Syrian Refugees" across the border. The shorthorn should do some real journalism, and stop playing Dr. Hide It for every problem at UTA. Kharbarhi should worry more about the welfare of the student body than the number of foreign countries paying tuition. What is UTA turning in to?
As journalists you should be aware of the great power you have when handling information, please respect your audience by not lying to them, you presented information in a soundbite format that makes it seem like the Sheriff just stood up and said this to a room of people. Have the respect to let us know what he was responding to, you shouldn't be Buzzfeed, you should represent the future of transparent news media that the world needs.
Let me guess, it's those Christians committing terrorist acts again isn't it. Pfft
Click this link to find out more about bigotry in Arlington, TX. http://www.salon.com/2016/03/17/the_10_most_racist_cities_in_america_according_to_twitter_partner/
In case you weren't aware, Texas if very much a low information - fear mongering state. Arlington is not immune to this.
My initial response was that I should vote for the other guy, even though he too does not share my values. But, guess what? These comments appear to be a rebuttal to Sheriff's opponent stating that the Sheriff's office needs to be more proactive against terrorism in Tarrant County (scare tactics). What we need to be concerned of is the lack of a rational and inspirational leader running for office. Neither of these guys shares your (UTA's or Arlington's) personally informed view on diversity and the world. Please, register to vote, because both candidates will continue to preach to the baseless, selfish, fearful, usual electorate - a race to the bottom - unless you get involved.
I agree that if there is any suggestion of danger from an individual or group, law enforcement agencies including those at UTA should act immediately. The "opposite" of terrorism is not necessarily peace, love and harmony. But peace, in the sense of not being afraid of others or feeling threatened because of one's beliefs, background, or personal characteristics, is antithetical to terrorism.
Informed people certainly disagree with one another (that's a major basis of scholarship), and it might not be harmonious, but one of the things that a university promotes is civilized disagreement. That's what universities are all about: a wide range of viewpoints, reflecting a wide range of people, with students, faculty and others thinking and talking and appreciating the differences. Bringing people together and providing the opportunity to discuss the issues promotes understanding and broadens thought. What better way to combat terrorism at its roots?
The President gave an appropriate response and addressed this very quickly. The idea that a university is somehow dangerous because it contains a diversity of students fundamentally opposes the mission of the institution and basic human dignity. Diversity plus education does not equal terrorism; it's the opposite. That's what helps us stick together and prevent these insane acts. UTA is a center of unity and rational judgment, and we should celebrate that.
@Mav44 President Karbhari spoke with Sheriff Anderson and he said that his comments weren't directed towards UTA. I think considering it being such a sensitive issue, Karbhari did the right thing by discussing things with the Sheriff, and the fact that he took that action shows he was standing up for his students, in my opinion.
Well I used to have a good deal of respect for Anderson, and I voted for him in this latest election. But no more. This is asinine and just stupid. I will be voting AGAINST Anderson in the current run off election. I hope others will do the same.
He was just trying to confuse the constituency
This is absurd.
What a baseless and disrespectful attack on the UT Arlington community. Even more disturbing is President Karbhari deciding not to stand up for the community which he has the privilege of leading.
It's possible this was taken out of context. The video itself starts at a sentence that was obviously the continuation of some other statement.
I agree: "We certainly recognize that no place in the country is immune to that problem." What exactly is "that problem" that he refers too? It could be terrorism, but it could also be something else.
Supposedly the FBI has identified an al Qaeda intelligence camp in Arlington. I wonder if that was what Sheriff Anderson was referencing.
Based on what?
Pure speculation, I admit, because we unfortunately do not have the full sound byte of Sheriff Anderson's speech.
However, I think I can answer based on your other comment on this article:
"The idea that a university is somehow dangerous because it contains a diversity of students fundamentally opposes the mission of the institution and basic human dignity. Diversity plus education does not equal terrorism; it's the opposite."
Diversity in and of itself does not equal terrorism, but it is naive to believe that radical extremist views may not be included in a diverse student body. It is prudent for APD and UTA Police to be aware of potential terrorist threats on and around campus, just as they would anywhere else.
And I would ask you this, what exactly is the opposite of terrorism? If it is peace, love, and harmony, I would hardly say that diversity equals that either. Better understanding of different viewpoints, perhaps, but not hardly peace or "perfect harmony."
Paul Chippendale is my favorite natty biology professor :)
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