A county sheriff in Nevada is under fire after he threatened to ignore 911 calls from a public library in retaliation against a diversity statement mentioning Black Lives Matter.
As mass protests against racial injustice and police brutality continue across the nation, businesses and organizations have sought to express their support and acceptance of diversity. The Douglas County Public Library in Nevada was set to add their own voice to the growing chorus.
“Everyone is welcome at the Douglas County Public Libraries,” their proposed diversity statement read, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “We offer free and equal access to information, services, and programs for everyone regardless of race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, political persuasion, disability, status, national origin or income level.”
“We support #Black Lives Matter,” the statement continued. “We resolutely assert and believe that all forms of racism, hatred, inequality, and injustice don’t belong in our society.”
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But Douglas County Sheriff Daniel Coverley signed a letter objecting to the statement of support for Black Lives Matter, a letter that also informed the library that law enforcement would no longer respond to 911 calls coming from the location.
“Due to your support of Black Lives Matter and the obvious lack of support or trust with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, please do not feel the need to call 911 for help,” the letter said. “I wish you good luck with disturbances and lewd behavior, since those are just some of the recent calls my office has assisted you with in the past.”
There is absolutely no justification to ignore a 911 call from a local business. The library did not say anything about the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, nor about law enforcement in general. And even if the statement were to include criticism of the department for one reason or another, the police are still at least morally obligated by duty to serve by coming to the library’s aid in a time of need.
“I was surprised by the sheriff’s response because we have a really good relationship with the sheriff’s office,” library director Amy Dodson said. “We support and appreciate all the great work they do for us and the statement was not intended to be against them or any other law enforcement. We love our first responders.”
The letter to the library has since gone viral and has drawn condemnation from across the country, resulting in a “clarification” from the sheriff’s office.
“Sheriff Coverley would…like to take this opportunity to clarify that the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to respond to all 911 calls, including those at the library,” the office said.
Clearly, Coverley’s threat backfired and he revealed himself to be unfit for the position he holds. Black Lives Matter is not anti-police. It’s anti-police brutality. But Coverley appears to not only be a racist, but he also seems to be just fine with brutality from the officers he oversees. That’s a problem, and it’s why Black Lives Matter exists.
Featured image via Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
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