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A Texas chief of police is now apologizing after an alert was sent out specifically asking residents to contact law enforcement should they “see any Black males.”

On Nov. 19 The Vidor Police Department was on a manhunt when News 12 reported authorities were searching for four men who allegedly stole money from an ATM in Alabama. After the police received a tip that the men were driving through Vidor, Teas. Then a text alert was issued to residents informing them that potential robbers were in the area.

“Burglary Suspects in the area. Please shelter in place and notify Vidor Police if you see any black males in the area. No other description at this time. Heavy Law Enforcement in the area. Use caution. Unk if any weapons,” the text read.

The text caused residents to be outraged.

“SMH. This is why I never stop in Vidor for gas when driving from Texas to Louisiana. The Vidor police said to notify them if you see any black males in the area 🙄” one commentator said.

Police Chief Rod Carroll told News that he was aware of the text alert but didn’t learn about the wording until later.

“I apologize to anyone that was offended because I will tell you I was personally offended when I read that message that went out,” Carroll said. “I trust my folks and that’s one of the things I need to make sure that we’re very specific in what we send out and being very careful in the wording that we send out.”

Carroll also said the text was missing details.

“It did not include, A, that first off the 1800 block of North Tram was the location of where we were looking for these individuals, and the word ‘suspicious’ Just because you’re a black male walking through Vidor, Texas, doesn’t make him the suspect. We need to get past this stigma.”

Carroll added he spoke to the person to the person who sent out the alert and is working the matter internally.

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