Chief O'Neill: Doubtful That WBC Shows Up

Responding to a press release from the Westboro Baptist Church announcing their intent to picket a funeral in Mansfield on Tuesday morning, Mansfield Police Chief Arthur O’Neill said that the Mansfield PD are aware of the release and will have officers in the area in the event that the extremist group does show up. While O'Neill appreciates the public support against what he called a revolting group, he has also asked the community to not help create a spectacle on Tuesday.

"Please let the police do their job and not have a spectacle. We can take care of the job and you can count on us to do it" O'Neill said in a statement to Patch.

While being prepared, O'Neill expressed doubt about if the church would show up to protest.

"Often the history is that they say they are coming but often they do not," O'Neill said. 

Friday night, the Westboro Baptist Church issued a press released claiming they would protest the funeral Michael J. Greene. While they often announce protests, they have been known to not show up.