Newly released body camera video sheds light on a traffic stop in Austin, Texas, that ultimately led to the city suspending its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The incident, which occurred on a Sunday night in South Austin, involved a trooper who was initially accused of drawing a weapon on the driver's 10-year-old son.
The footage reveals a different sequence of events. Troopers pursued a vehicle into a residential driveway. While a trooper did have his gun drawn, it was pointed downwards, not at the child as previously alleged. After the driver, identified as Carlos Meza, exited the vehicle, both troopers briefly kept their weapons drawn before holstering them. The trooper then reprimanded Meza for exiting the vehicle during the stop, although Meza explained he had pulled into his driveway.
The situation de-escalated, and the troopers explained the reason for the stop: an improper license plate. Meza stated he was on a waiting list for a proper plate. Further investigation revealed the vehicle was uninsured, and Meza admitted to lacking a license and title. He also disclosed he had smoked marijuana within the past three hours, leading to sobriety tests. Meza expressed surprise when informed that any amount of marijuana possession is illegal in Texas.
In a subsequent interview, Meza stated he hadn't realized he was being pulled over. While acknowledging the troopers didn't directly point their guns at his son, he still expressed concern about the drawn weapons. He supported the city's decision to suspend the partnership with DPS, believing it improved public sentiment in Austin.
The suspension, announced by Mayor Kirk Watson, followed initial praise for the DPS partnership, which was intended to address rising crime and police understaffing. Watson cited a "troubling incident" but appeared to have made the decision before reviewing the bodycam footage. Even after being shown the video, he upheld the suspension.
However, the Texas DPS affirmed its continued patrols in Austin, emphasizing its statewide jurisdiction under Governor Greg Abbott, essentially overriding the mayor's decision.
