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Awkward detail exposes 'fake' police snap
A police department’s attempt to showcase their community support has backfired after eagle-eyed social media users noticed a telltale detail that exposed a potential lie.
Austin Police Department took to Twitter on Sunday to thank members of the community who had sent in thank you cards amid the nation’s Black Lives Matter protests and coronavirus lockdown.
“We can’t express enough how grateful we are to serve you, Austin,” the department wrote alongside two images of a heap of cards being read by two members of the force. “Our officers have been working around the clock during these unprecedented times and thank everyone who took the time to write and make our day a little brighter.”
Unfortunately, it appears the letters may not have been as authentic as the department suggested, with Twitter users pointing out that none seemed to sport any postage stamps, and each letter was written in a remarkably similar hand.
Twitter users say ‘thank you cards’ fake
“Damn. Everyone in Austin has the same handwriting,” one user wrote. “Public schools must be amazing out there.”
Damn. Everyone in Austin has the same handwriting. Public schools must be amazing out there. pic.twitter.com/jJkw6DycKU
— LAUSD chalupa (@ThisIsHans) June 6, 2020
Damn y'all only found one whole person who can write Thank You legibly?
— Uncle Dave (@DaveOshry) June 7, 2020
A closer glance at the letters reveals the ‘thank you’ message is written almost exactly the same on each envelope.
“I love little regional quirks like how everyone in Austin has the same handwriting the world is such an interesting place,” one Twitter user joked darkly, hinting that the letters may have been written by the same person.
i love little regional quirks like how everyone in austin has the same handwriting ☺️ the world is such an interesting place https://t.co/Cr91Gt4Mua
— thomas violence (@thomas_violence) June 7, 2020
Others didn’t beat around the bush, accusing the department of getting one single person to write each card.
“Damn, y'all only found one whole person who can write Thank You legibly?” one person wondered.
“Weird how all of those letters have precisely the same handwriting and were all hand-delivered without postage,” another wrote.
Yet another took time to detail exactly why people were so sure the messages were faked by a single writer.
“1.The T's and Y's on all of these envelopes are the same.
2. If you want to fake support don’t buy a stack of the same SIZE Index cards you found at CVS
3.Austin PD shot Justin Howell and Brad Levi Ayala in the head. Both are in the hospital.
4.F*ck you.”
For people confused:
1.The T's and Y's on all of these envelopes are the same.
2. If you want to fake support dont buy a stack of the same SIZE Index cards you found at CVS
3.Austin PD shot Justin Howell and Brad Levi Ayala in the head. Both are in the hospital.
4.Fuck you. pic.twitter.com/r7dDaaaVEC— Stephan Park (@amudork) June 7, 2020
Austin Police under fire amid Black Lives Matter protests
The heightened criticism comes after the department has been accused of leaving protestors seriously injured as apart of their measures to control crowds.
One man, 42-year-old Michael Ramos was killed on April 24 when neighbours called the police, suspicious he and his girlfriend may have been doing drugs in their car.
A police officer shot bullets into his side while he raised his hands.
Since then two protestors have been hospitalised after police injured them while controlling protest crowds.
16-year-old Brad Levi Ayala was reportedly standing quietly on a hill when he was hit in the head, and Justin Howell, 20, was hit with projectiles and left with brain damage.
Austin Police Department responds to forgery claims
The public were understandably furious at the idea that the department had forged thank you cards in a bid for good publicity, but the police department says it was all a misunderstanding.
Now the department has responded, telling Aussie publication Gizmodo that the cards had been delivered in person and that two people had written ‘thank you’ om each card to mark them out at notes of appreciation.
“The cards were from several community members to include kindergartners and Austin families, who wanted to show support for APD officers,” the statement read. “Two people, who organised delivering the cards in person, addressed the envelopes with a “Thank you,” so our officers would open the notes to receive encouragement during these difficult times. That is why the front of the envelopes appear to have the same handwriting.”
Looks like regardless of who wrote the cards, the good news tweet backfired spectacularly.
No postage stamps and the same handwriting pic.twitter.com/WHXKMVIc6W
— James Rooney (@Grungeholio) June 7, 2020
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