By Pat Trevino | June 5, 2026

In small communities like ours, transparency isn’t a luxury — it’s the only way residents know what is happening around them. And when there is no consistent local media coverage of police activity, even basic information becomes difficult to obtain. Even with a scanner, I am limited in what I can report because I still need law enforcement officials to confirm and verify the information I provide to the public.

A recent incident made that painfully clear.

When Cuero Online News posted a short video of what appeared to be the scene of an accident some people were critical, and one accused me of being “nosy.”

Let me be very clear: It is common practice to post videos like the one I shared to alert the community that something is unfolding. The video speaks for itself — the link is included for anyone who wants to see it. And I’ll be honest — the criticism stung. I truly thought I was providing a service this community needed. But I’ve learned that no matter what you do, someone will always find a problem with it. So I let myself feel it for a moment and even imagined a dramatic tear rolling down my cheek — Ha! No, I didn’t actually cry; that part’s just for effect — but I did mutter a few choice words under my breath and now I’ll probably have to go to confession… again.   I got right back to work, because at the end of the day, the job still has to be done.

Here’s the reality

When several patrol cars and an emergency vehicle are present at a location, any reasonable resident is left to wonder:

• Should I be concerned?
• Is this a public safety emergency?
• Is something happening that affects my neighborhood or my family?

Those are not nosy questions — they are normal, responsible concerns.

What was even more frustrating was the runaround: contacting the police department and being told to contact the Sheriff’s Office, only to be referred right back to the police department. Full circle — and still no closer to getting the information the public deserves.

And let’s not forget: I am still waiting to hear about the suicides I wrote about a few days ago— one suicide that occurred less than a week ago, and two from about three weeks ago — that have yet to be officially addressed.

A Simple, Common‑Sense Solution: A Public Activity Log

Here’s a suggestion — and it’s not new, unusual, or burdensome. It’s actually standard practice in many Texas communities:

Provide an activity log for all calls law enforcement responds to.

It can be handwritten  (as long as it is legible) or computerized. Nothing complicated. Nothing detailed. Just the basics.

Most Texas communities — large and small — already maintain a public log of calls for service. These logs do not reveal sensitive information or compromise investigations. They simply list:

• The type of call
• The general location
• The time officers were dispatched
• Whether the call was cleared

That’s it.

This protects both the public and law enforcement. It reduces rumors, prevents misinformation, and eliminates the perception that information is being selectively withheld.

It also allows the media — including small, independent outlets like Cuero Online News — to follow up on incidents that may be newsworthy without having to chase agencies in circles.

Residents pay taxes. Residents fund these agencies. Residents have the right to know what is happening in their own community.

A basic activity log is not a luxury. It is the bare minimum for transparency and public trust.

The people who run Cuero may pull the strings, but they still answer to the public. And while some folks have been conditioned to ‘wait quietly’ for answers — and to label anyone who asks questions as being nosy — that mindset has no place in a modern community. Even in a small town like Cuero, transparency and accountability aren’t optional; they’re essential.” – Pat Trevino