Today was productive. Sen. Jane Nelson recommended that I visit the Texas Ranger Public Integrity Unit. I finally had the time to visit their Hurst office to drop off several documents that detail public corruption in Tarrant County. I even had time to visit my county commissioner’s office.

Yesterday, I spoke at length with FWPD Capt. Bryan Jamison. Although we disagreed about potential police interference in my case, I appreciated the time he gave. At this point, I am looking for a district county judge who will assign a district attorney pro tem to investigate potential criminal actions committed by our district attorney.

I have worked daily to document public corruption since last June. I believe I am halfway through that work. While there are ongoing efforts to keep embarrassing information out of reach, I do see hope for our city and county.

There is an impressive grassroots movement developing in our community. This week, I have a news story about CommUnity Frontline out in the newspaper I write for. There’s even an editorial that I contributed to.

In the wake of numerous shootings and killings of unarmed black men and women by white FWPD police officers, public outrage has reached a point where city officials had to take action. There is a police review board currently auditing FWPD’s policies and training procedures. Members of that board have received documents related to my case. Capt. Jamison said some of those board members met with him yesterday. 

Two police monitors are now on the job, fielding complaints from locals about police misconduct. Efforts are underway to unseat elected officials and to replace them with individuals who will put accountability and transparency first. Many in our community would like to see a new sheriff and DA at the county level.

After a closed meeting in December, the district attorney’s office has asked the commissioners court to not allow me to speak on the agenda. Open discourse about public corruption is an important component of any free society. The City of Fort Worth is slowly heading in that direction. New ideas and leadership at the county level may be just as inevitable.

Edward Brown writes about music, arts, and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and volunteers for numerous Fort Worth nonprofits. He regularly contributes to Visit Fort Worth and Madeworthy Magazine.