Craig Ranch Community Ready To 'Move On'
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MCKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - On a hot day, the sounds of kids splashing around the pool serve as a sign for some that the Craig Ranch community could be moving forward.
"We were just saying, "hey it's back to normal again. I'm glad to see that," says resident Rick Leeper.
Steps away, local pastors led a prayer. This is a meeting that was planned even before Corporal Eric Casebolt's resignation. The group discussed threats made against local families.
"People here have been getting threats because they kind of helped cool off some of the kids. To the point where their children's faces were on social media with [crosshairs] on them," said Derek Golden, a pastor at Amazing Church.
The local pastors met with McKinney leaders Monday night. They see Corporal Casebolt's resignation as a step in the right direction.
"For him that was a great decision. That's self accountability. He made that decision. I pray for him because he has a family," says Pastor Golden.
"He was the adult in the room. When we met with the mayor and the police chief--as pastors all of us together--we said, 'listen guys, boldly we have to say it--it was wrong," says Mike Connaway, with Vlife Church. Connaway is also a part of the Craig Ranch community.
But residents like Mr. Leeper believe several factors were at play.
"There was a lack of respect from the kids from the police officers. If there had been a mutual respect, everyone obeying the police, I think this would have never escalated the way it did," Leeper says.
"I think it was a little extreme, but in light of the pressure from the community--it was the right thing to do," he adds.
"It's a racially diverse neighborhood, people work together and get along for the most part and hopefully it will go a long way healing the community," said Allison Lyons. The McKinney resident says her son learned to swim in the Craig Ranch swimming pool.
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