Police Reassessing Officer Safety In Wake Of Dallas Ambush
BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Police agencies across the nation are reassessing officer safety in the wake of the ambush in Dallas.
Many are worried about copycat attacks, especially with officers being shot in 3 separate incidents in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri last week.
As a protest wound through Baltimore on Saturday, Baltimore City police took precautions by blocking off streets, keeping protestors moving--along with traffic.
"I think Dallas was a wake up call for all police officers," said Lt. Kenneth Butler.
Butler is president of the Vanguard Justice Society, the association for minority and women officers in Baltimore. He says police are on heightened alert.
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As protestors blocked a main intersection on Friday police allowed them to demonstrate for a few minutes before making them move on as a police helicopter hovered above.
"We have to be aware of our surroundings and we can't be as lax," said Butler. "I've never it like this, where it seems like there is so much animosity between the police and the community, although I know it will get better because it's getting better here."
Other police departments in the region are also changing protocol because of the Dallas shootings.
Anne Arundel County sheriffs are teaming up to serve warrants and in nearby Washington, D.C.
Officers in some local police departments are wear mourning bands on their arms in honor of the Dallas officers.