NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City Mayor Bryan Bequette said police have a duty to protect protestors, but crime is a threat to everyone.

Bequette: “I think most Nebraskans would do that, that they would just make sure their voice is heard that they get their cause across. But I tell you it’s been scary watching some of the larger cities, the things that are going on. That is not protesting  and rioting, or whatever you want to call it, when folks get to the point that they are breaking the law then it puts all those other residents at risk, that are just trying to get through.

He said he typically talks with Police Chief Dave Lacy about national events.

Bequette: “When you’re talking about protests law enforcement and our Nebraska City Police Department are there to protect the protestor as much as they are other citizens, so they are protecting the protestor’s liberty to be able to do that. They will do that and they have done that in the past.

But when it comes to rioting and looting that changes from exercising First Amendment right to committing a crime and our police department would deal also accordingly as a criminal, not someone trying to get a point across.”