Why Hawkins, Texas Now Has Zero Active Police Officers

(East Texas) We all know how vital law enforcement officers are to maintain safety in Texas. It’s truly remarkable that we have people that wake up daily and put their lives on the line to keep our friends and neighbors safe. Although, in Hawkins there are no longer any police officers that are still employed.

What Happened to All the Police Officers in Hawkins, Texas?

According to KETK, the final police officer that was still on staff was recently removed by the Hawkins City Council. And there are citizens that don’t agree with the decision and are nervous about what that means for others in the community.

There are many people in the area that wonder what this means if they are faced with an emergency? Is it going to take longer to receive assistance, will help come at all?

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They Hawkins, Texas Mayor is Not Worried About Having Zero Officers

The mayor for Hawkins, Texas is Debbie Rushing, and she said that having zero officers shouldn’t have a big impact on the town and that business should be as usual.

Rushing also mentioned that Hawkins has never had a full-time police department, so eliminating the positions should actually save the city money.

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Hawkins Residents Appreciate Surrounding Law Enforcement

With some residents feeling uneasy about the decisions made lately, most are just grateful for those who help when called upon. Specifically, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and constables in the area.

It will be interesting to see how things develop in Hawkins. Only time will tell if eliminating the final officer's position was a good cost saving measure or if it will leave citizens with less resources when they need them the most.