Fort Worth council member seeks report on drunk drivers after colleague’s arrest
Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck asked for a report on how police prevent drunken driving, during the council’s first meeting since her colleague Michael Crain’s DWI arrest.
A few moments later, Crain echoed the tone of Beck’s statement in saying he wanted a report on who the city requires to undergo drug testing.
Crain, who represents District 3, returned to the council chambers for the first time Tuesday since his arrest Jan. 16. He has apologized in a statement to his wife and children, and Fort Worth residents.
Tuesday’s meeting was a work session during which council members discuss topics before formally voting on them. Toward the end of the work session, the council brings up items that they would like city staff to research and present with “informal reports,” or IRs.
During that portion of the meeting Tuesday, Crain proposed the idea of a report on mental health-related time off for Fort Worth police officers, telling the council that officers have to dip into their vacation time if they want to take extended time off to address their mental health.
“If someone’s stepping forward ... and they need some help mentally, we should figure out a way to help them without blowing all their vacation time,” Crain explained to Mayor Mattie Parker.
Parker agreed with Crain before Beck, sitting across from Crain, cleared her throat.
“I’d like an IR on what our PD does to prevent and interdict drunk drivers in the city,” she said, raising her eyebrows and appearing to glance in Crain’s direction.
Parker ignored Beck’s statement and pivoted back to the issue Crain had raised, discussing it for a few minutes with District 4 council member Charles Lauersdorf.
Crain then brought up another request for a different informal report.
“I’d like an IR on drug testing in the city, and what positions are drug tested,” Crain said.
Parker did not acknowledge Crain’s remark and adjourned the meeting.
On Wednesday, Beck told the Star-Telegram that said her request was “directly related to questions and concerns” she received from constituents.
“Because I was unable to answer their questions, I asked for an IR,” she said.
Beck said that she could not speak to the reasons behind Crain’s IR request about drug testing.
Crain did not respond to requests for comment from the Star-Telegram. A representative for Parker said that the mayor was not available on Wednesday.
