WAS A SWAT TEAM REALLY NECESSARY FOR VFW POKER RAID?

14 December 2007

Police dramatics may have been enhanced by presence of a reality television crew


Readers may recall an InfoPowa story last week in which we reported on a raid earlier this year by Texas authorities on a Veterans of Foreign Wars post holding a poker tournament to raise funds for charity. The raid effectively closed the post, prompting an expose of the event by comedian Drew Cary, but further details of the overly dramatic police bust appeared in US media this week.

The reports quote an eye-witness, who told a remarkable tale of over-the-top drama....and the presence of a reality television film crew, which may explain the over-acting.

"The raid occurred around 7:40 p.m.," says the witness. "I was in the kitchen area which was just inside the front door when suddenly there was loud banging from the door. Within seconds, the room was full of Dallas SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) officers yelling for everyone to put their hands in the air.

"Behind the Dallas SWAT team came many more law enforcement officers and several camera crews for the A&E reality show, Dallas SWAT. The camera crew's chests were clearly marked as "A&E Film Crew."

"Bear in mind that, prior to police entering, the place was virtually quiet. There was the sound of poker chips in the air, but not much else. The players were essentially professionals and working stiffs having fun. There were doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals.

"There was hardly anything "dangerous" about the place at all. In fact, the cops found no weapons in the facility or on anyone there.
"The show of force and weaponry brought by the cops was simply outrageous and unjustified, given the circumstances, but, then again, are they enforcing the law or making a TV show?"

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa