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Austin PD Brags About Dozens Of Support Letters They Got, People Call Them Out For Lying (Updated)
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Austin PD Brags About Dozens Of Support Letters They Got, People Call Them Out For Lying (Updated)

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It’s only natural that police all over the US are going through some hard times amidst the Black Lives Matter protests that sprung up after George Floyd was killed by police during an arrest in Minneapolis. Furthermore, violent police response during the protests has been a massive topic nowadays as well.

In light of these events, it only seems logical that people would turn their backs on the police and throw their support towards the other side—the victims of police violence and those who protest against it.

However, the Austin Police Department seems to be unaffected by the ongoing crisis and is getting more support than ever before. Are they really, though? After they shared a photo collage of dozens of thank-you cards and support letters on Twitter, people noticed immediately that something wasn’t adding up. Turns out, most of the letters were written in the same handwriting. Furthermore, they didn’t even bother to add stamps and addresses on the envelopes and people couldn’t stop laughing.

Update: Austin PD explained that two people, who delivered the cards, have written “Thank You” all over them. “Many of you have inquired about the cards that were posted on our social media pages,” Austin PD wrote to Gizmodo. “The cards were from several community members to include kindergartners and Austin families, who wanted to show support for APD officers. Two people, who organized delivering the cards in person, addressed the envelopes with a “Thank you,” so our officers would open the notes to receive encouragement during these difficult times. That is why the front of the envelopes appear to have the same handwriting.”

Austin PD shared a beautiful collage of dozens of support letters and thank-you notes they got from their supporting neighborhood

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Image credits: austin_police

While police in the US are experiencing hard times and have little support since George Floyd was killed by police and protests have sprung into action all over the country, Austin PD claims to have their neighborhood’s support. Despite news spreading that a college student was shot by Austin police and suffered brain damage, on Saturday, June 6th, they shared images of dozens of thank-you cards and envelopes with support letters on Twitter. Many of the short notes read “Thank you,” “We are thankful for all you do,” and “U R appreciated.” But people shortly noticed that the text wasn’t the only thing most of them had in common. Most of the notes seen in the photos shared by Austin PD seem to be written in the same handwriting as well.

However, people couldn’t help but notice they all seemed to be written by the same three or so people and had no post stamps on them

Image credits: austin_police

In the Twitter post shared by Austin PD, a black officer and a white officer are seen happily reading the cards. After seeing the post, many people were convinced all the letters were forged. “Damn, everyone in Austin has the same handwriting. Public schools must be amazing out there,” someone tweeted. Other mistakes were pointed out as well: “And why no postage? How did they even get them…?” said another tweet.

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People thought it was obvious the policemen faked everything and forged the letters to make themselves look good in the eye of the public

Image credits: austin_police

An Austin-based woman named Maryl agreed to share her insights on the situation in Austin, but wished for her last name not to be revealed. She voiced her disbelief that the police “would have the guts to pull off something like that when two incidents happened during the last weeks involving shooting someone. A teenage boy was shot in the head last week and experienced brain damage, but police don’t seem too eager to have justice for that. I should be able to take my kids to these historic demonstrations. But I can’t. Not because of the protesters, but because of them,” she said. “Austin PD is the violent threat at these protests,” she added.

Someone offered some context for those who are not fully aware of the situation with Austin PD

Image credits: amudork

Other people jumped in with some witty remarks

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lawrence_dillard avatar
Terd Fergison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Trump tactic of not taking responsibility for any of your downfalls, and then congratulating yourself while egregiously lying to the public.

jlkooiker avatar
lenka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And being narcissistic enough to believe that you will get away with it because you are obviously much smarter than anyone else.

Load More Replies...
ianmilne2159 avatar
Ian Milne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is on the same level as: Dear Mr Jones. Ian cannot do PE today because he hurt his arm saving two old ladies from being assaulted by a gang of 20 men. Signed My Mum.

merlinthecat1 avatar
Monika Rhodes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hilarious. You can see how the writing is the same. Can't even fake simple thing properly lol

charlotte_18 avatar
Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, on the plus side we probably don't have to worry about them pulling off frame-ups. Not that they wouldn't try, but they'd do it so poorly a five year old could see through their "evidence".

erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And we would have gotten away with too if it weren't for you pesky Twitter users.

anneking68 avatar
StrawberryParfait
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Austin police department also likes to shoot people's non-threatening dogs when answering calls.

ghoul72 avatar
Venic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't this particular PD's first desperate image-control measure. Consider the beating they're taking for #1: Firing LTL rounds at a protester who merely threw a water bottle, #2: Hitting a completely unrelated protester, Justin Howell, instead, and #3: Directing those trying to get medical help for Justin to the police HQ, then firing on his rescuers as they approached. They're rightly terrified. (Good.)

carolynparker avatar
CParks
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are laughable and pathetic. If I lived in Austin I'd be pretty afraid knowing these geniuses were in charge of keeping me safe.

jennyld121 avatar
Jenny Davis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do this with our youth group for different organizations (like FD, assisted living communities, etc). Lots of letters, one large envelope. One little sweet granny probably wrote several to ensure every police officer got one. Just a view of another potential explanation.

coatguy avatar
Coat Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is what happens if you only permit your DUMBEST idiot folks to join the police force of your country, racism and abuse of power. Aka also the reason no other country has so much trouble with their police force, because we don't give baboons power and authority and save their asses in case they majorly f**k up. Then again, I live in Europe and not the middle ages so the people here have an average IQ above bread, contrary to the US it seems.

lordbafford avatar
Lord Bafford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is like those “Bae took this pic of me while sleeping“ where you can see it's obviously a selfie. Just sad.

amcgregor7419 avatar
Al Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might be hilarious were it not for the circumstances.

sue_burrison avatar
Sumara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The POLICE did something so obvious? They must be really good at solving crimes.

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know how when someone is pushing on a door that says pull and you feel embarrassed just to be witnessing it? Yeah, that's how I feel.

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just proves once again: Having a minimum IQ level is not required to be a police officer. Being dumb, muscular and able to kill are much more appreciated in the US police force. On a side note: Liking doughnuts is certainly a plus.

crossfire_1 avatar
Ronin Dave
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thank you letters are coming from inside the precinct!!!!

ashleytt avatar
Bee Diaz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are so dumb, they had the same person write all of them.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The average IQ of a police officer is 104 - that's not hyperbole. If this stupid stunt doesn't show the the entire vetting process needs to change, that they have to stop hiring low IQ sadists with a chip on their shoulder, then nothing will. If these cops were anyone else, they'd make the stupid criminal hall of fame for trying to pass this off as legit.

coatguy avatar
Coat Guy
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

nilefe avatar
Nil Efe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know they write the letter on the envelope instead of the paper inside in USA. or it might be a spoiler what inside it.

lucypuppysocks avatar
GumShoe359
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still trying to figure out why the "note" is written on the envelope and not on the cards themselves....

jtrisn1 avatar
jtrisn1
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so pathetic that I can't even be mad at them for faking having public support lol

niala2irm avatar
Zelda Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did it occur to anyone that maybe just maybe a church group or other group had a table going where you could write a thank you to the police and they were hand delivered? Maybe people didn't write anything on the front of the envelope so the organizers did it themselves? I once set up a table at work with a slew of blank cards that people could write a thank you to soldiers and I ended up writing thank you or other messages on the envelopes otherwise they would all be blank. People wrote in the cards but not on the envelopes. I also hand delivered these to the local VA hospital, so why is it impossible to think that this may be the same thing with these thank you cards? Is the world that cynical that we can't possibly believe that some people do appreciate the police?

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is perhaps most surprising is that the officers who did this know how to write. Not well, but still... This is one sick police department. All they need is a "Mission Accomplished" banner, which they apparently can make for themselves. Personally I plan to have mine ready for November 4, 2020.

timdsampson avatar
Toasty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are multiple people in my community with "I stand with the badge" signs out front of their lawns. This isn't so hard to imagine. I support the majority of the police force because the majority of them are good people who genuinely want to protect and serve their community. Remember people, when you use blanket statements, you are intentionally throwing blinders on yourself.

mdr_1 avatar
M DR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You haven't even met a majority of the force. As someone who has had to call the cops, and someone who has had the cops called on me (for standing on a sidewalk--lady had mental issues), I know first hand that they don't treat victims very well.

Load More Replies...
lawrence_dillard avatar
Terd Fergison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Trump tactic of not taking responsibility for any of your downfalls, and then congratulating yourself while egregiously lying to the public.

jlkooiker avatar
lenka
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And being narcissistic enough to believe that you will get away with it because you are obviously much smarter than anyone else.

Load More Replies...
ianmilne2159 avatar
Ian Milne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is on the same level as: Dear Mr Jones. Ian cannot do PE today because he hurt his arm saving two old ladies from being assaulted by a gang of 20 men. Signed My Mum.

merlinthecat1 avatar
Monika Rhodes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hilarious. You can see how the writing is the same. Can't even fake simple thing properly lol

charlotte_18 avatar
Charlotte
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, on the plus side we probably don't have to worry about them pulling off frame-ups. Not that they wouldn't try, but they'd do it so poorly a five year old could see through their "evidence".

erin_16 avatar
GirlFriday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And we would have gotten away with too if it weren't for you pesky Twitter users.

anneking68 avatar
StrawberryParfait
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Austin police department also likes to shoot people's non-threatening dogs when answering calls.

ghoul72 avatar
Venic
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't this particular PD's first desperate image-control measure. Consider the beating they're taking for #1: Firing LTL rounds at a protester who merely threw a water bottle, #2: Hitting a completely unrelated protester, Justin Howell, instead, and #3: Directing those trying to get medical help for Justin to the police HQ, then firing on his rescuers as they approached. They're rightly terrified. (Good.)

carolynparker avatar
CParks
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are laughable and pathetic. If I lived in Austin I'd be pretty afraid knowing these geniuses were in charge of keeping me safe.

jennyld121 avatar
Jenny Davis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do this with our youth group for different organizations (like FD, assisted living communities, etc). Lots of letters, one large envelope. One little sweet granny probably wrote several to ensure every police officer got one. Just a view of another potential explanation.

coatguy avatar
Coat Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is what happens if you only permit your DUMBEST idiot folks to join the police force of your country, racism and abuse of power. Aka also the reason no other country has so much trouble with their police force, because we don't give baboons power and authority and save their asses in case they majorly f**k up. Then again, I live in Europe and not the middle ages so the people here have an average IQ above bread, contrary to the US it seems.

lordbafford avatar
Lord Bafford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is like those “Bae took this pic of me while sleeping“ where you can see it's obviously a selfie. Just sad.

amcgregor7419 avatar
Al Jones
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This might be hilarious were it not for the circumstances.

sue_burrison avatar
Sumara
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The POLICE did something so obvious? They must be really good at solving crimes.

chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know how when someone is pushing on a door that says pull and you feel embarrassed just to be witnessing it? Yeah, that's how I feel.

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just proves once again: Having a minimum IQ level is not required to be a police officer. Being dumb, muscular and able to kill are much more appreciated in the US police force. On a side note: Liking doughnuts is certainly a plus.

crossfire_1 avatar
Ronin Dave
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thank you letters are coming from inside the precinct!!!!

ashleytt avatar
Bee Diaz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are so dumb, they had the same person write all of them.

idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The average IQ of a police officer is 104 - that's not hyperbole. If this stupid stunt doesn't show the the entire vetting process needs to change, that they have to stop hiring low IQ sadists with a chip on their shoulder, then nothing will. If these cops were anyone else, they'd make the stupid criminal hall of fame for trying to pass this off as legit.

coatguy avatar
Coat Guy
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

nilefe avatar
Nil Efe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know they write the letter on the envelope instead of the paper inside in USA. or it might be a spoiler what inside it.

lucypuppysocks avatar
GumShoe359
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still trying to figure out why the "note" is written on the envelope and not on the cards themselves....

jtrisn1 avatar
jtrisn1
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so pathetic that I can't even be mad at them for faking having public support lol

niala2irm avatar
Zelda Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did it occur to anyone that maybe just maybe a church group or other group had a table going where you could write a thank you to the police and they were hand delivered? Maybe people didn't write anything on the front of the envelope so the organizers did it themselves? I once set up a table at work with a slew of blank cards that people could write a thank you to soldiers and I ended up writing thank you or other messages on the envelopes otherwise they would all be blank. People wrote in the cards but not on the envelopes. I also hand delivered these to the local VA hospital, so why is it impossible to think that this may be the same thing with these thank you cards? Is the world that cynical that we can't possibly believe that some people do appreciate the police?

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is perhaps most surprising is that the officers who did this know how to write. Not well, but still... This is one sick police department. All they need is a "Mission Accomplished" banner, which they apparently can make for themselves. Personally I plan to have mine ready for November 4, 2020.

timdsampson avatar
Toasty
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are multiple people in my community with "I stand with the badge" signs out front of their lawns. This isn't so hard to imagine. I support the majority of the police force because the majority of them are good people who genuinely want to protect and serve their community. Remember people, when you use blanket statements, you are intentionally throwing blinders on yourself.

mdr_1 avatar
M DR
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You haven't even met a majority of the force. As someone who has had to call the cops, and someone who has had the cops called on me (for standing on a sidewalk--lady had mental issues), I know first hand that they don't treat victims very well.

Load More Replies...
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