Texas Mayor Fred Burton Receives Package Containing A Noose And Threatening Message: ‘Get Out The Race Now’
Mayor Fred Burton of Arcola, Texas, received a package containing a noose and a warning amid his reelection campaign.
On April 23, the police department shared on Facebook the contents of the package sent to city hall as well as the note included inside which read: "Get out of the race now!!"
The package, sent in a white envelope, addressed to Burton also included a noose, which can be seen in the photo.
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"I pulled out it said, 'Get out of this race now!!' " Burton recalled, per ABC-13. "It's a slap. Especially on a Black man's face that he has to open up mail like that and see something like that. I thought we were better than that as a society."
The threat is being treated with the utmost seriousness and the Arcola Police Department has requested assistance from the FBI in investigating the criminal act, the Arcola Police Department wrote in the post.
"If you have any information or inquiries regarding this incident, please reach out to the Arcola Police Department at 281.431.5205."
According to statements obtained by PEOPLE, police chief Arika Carr-Bryant noted "several inconsistencies" with the package.
"The package had inconsistencies such as a missing postmark and a misspelling of Scranton, PA," Carr-Bryant told the media outlet.
"Despite these discrepancies, it was confirmed to have been delivered by the USPS, leading us to treat this as a credible threat," she said.
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A series of scandals related to his reelection campaign include him reportedly spending $7,500 of public funds on a private investigator to trail a council member and her family, and posting a clip of mayoral candidate Veeda Williams' campaign flyer being set on fire.
Despite reported questionable antics and threats against his safety, Burton — who was reelected to his second term in 2020 — says he is committed to the well-being of Arcola.
"The City of Arcola always comes first, no matter the political climate. This is a crime and it will be investigated as any other crime," Burton said.
He continued: "This (election) has been the most, I guess, if you will, nasty. But I won't let that situation, that mail, I won't let those type of racial, if you will, throwbacks, affect me in this race."
