Operation against FLDS was well-handled

SAN ANGELO, Texas — When I heard that authorities were at the gates of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints compound in Eldorado last week, I immediately thought about the unfortunate culmination of the siege on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco 15 years ago.

On Feb. 28, 1993, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raided the Branch Davidian compound, resulting in the deaths of six Branch Davidian members and four ATF officials. The raid was prompted by allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct and stockpiling of illegal weapons.

The FBI laid siege to the compound until April 19, when federal agents released tear gas into the building, where several fires quickly consumed the compound. In the end, more than 80 men, women and children were dead, including Branch Davidian leader David Koresh.

The situation in Eldorado had the potential to explode, especially since the FLDS employs armed guards and church officials initially resisted authorities entering the compound.

Law-enforcement officials were prepared for the worst, bringing in ambulances as they got ready to enter the temple, which sect members consider sacred.

Thankfully, the developing investigation has been peaceful so far as local and state authorities work to discover and document what has been going on in the gated compound.

Those of us in the media, and taxpayers in general, must hold government and law-enforcement officials accountable for wrongdoing and questionable decisionmaking. Clearly, officials made some serious mistakes in handling the Branch Davidian situation.

At the same time, we also should acknowledge when they do something right — especially when it could potentially save some of our most vulnerable residents from further harm.

Let's look at what state and local authorities — and dozens of caring residents — have done in Eldorado. Details are still developing, but we know quite a bit about what's going on from documents and state and local authorities.

Officials in Eldorado worked with state law-enforcement authorities and Child Protective Services personnel to remove more than 400 children so far from the YFZ Ranch. All the children were placed in state custody because officials found signs of abuse and deemed them in imminent danger.

The operation included Texas Rangers, CPS, deputies from Schleicher and Tom Green counties and game wardens from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.