Magee Police Chief Denis J. Borges issued a firm and unequivocal message this week following a series of altercations that occurred over the weekend at the city’s Sportsplex and local business GW and Joe’s.
In a public statement, Borges outlined his expectations for community conduct and law enforcement priorities moving forward, making it clear that disorderly behavior will not be allowed to take root in Magee.
“We are working to build a city where families can enjoy themselves without having to witness violence or unnecessary drama,” Borges stated.
He emphasized that public safety and community standards are non-negotiable, adding, “Magee will not be a city that tolerates fighting, reckless behavior, or disruptions at community events.”
The altercations, which drew concern from both residents and local businesses, prompted the chief to reinforce the department’s zero-tolerance approach.
“If you weren’t raised to conduct yourself properly in public, Magee will be the place to remind you how to behave,” he said.
Borges was also careful to distinguish the city’s stance from any racial implications, clarifying, “Let me be direct. This is not about race. It’s not Black, White, or Hispanic culture. It’s ‘hood culture, and we are not going to entertain it here.”
As part of the city’s response, the police chief warned of legal and economic consequences for individuals and businesses contributing to an unsafe environment.
“If you fight, you will be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct,” he said.
“Establishments that repeatedly attract this kind of crowd or fail to maintain order risk being shut down. No business is exempt.”
Chief Borges also announced a specific policy targeting behavior at city facilities: “Anyone caught fighting at the Sportsplex will face a one-year ban.”
He noted that when incidents happen at private establishments, it is up to those businesses to take action, stating,
“It is up to that establishment to take a stand and keep those individuals out.”
He ended his message with a blunt warning: “Some folks don’t believe fat meat is greasy until you show them just how greasy it really is.”
The Magee Police Department’s stance is part of a broader effort to ensure the city remains a safe, welcoming place for all. Chief Borges’s comments coincide with a commitment to maintaining public order and holding both individuals and businesses accountable.
However, following Police Chief Denis Borges’s public statement on recent altercations in Magee, several members of the Black community expressed concern over his use of the term “hood culture,” calling it harmful and racially coded. EGenette Smith asked the department, “Please define ‘hood culture.’ Please explain to us why you felt the need to use ‘hood’ at all.” While the chief clarified that his comments were not about race, critics argue that the term historically carries strong racial connotations and disproportionately stigmatizes Black communities. Smith also contended that using such language from a law enforcement leader risk reinforcing negative stereotypes, fostering division, and undermining efforts to build trust with all residents. Community members argued that if law enforcement is going to call out cultural issues, it should do so equitably across all demographics. “Choose better words,” Smith urged, emphasizing the need for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to public communication from institutions tasked with serving diverse populations.
In response to concerns raised about his use of the term “hood culture,” Magee Police Chief Denis Borges stood by his statement, clarifying that the phrase was never intended as a racial reference. “Hood culture is not confined to one race, no matter who created the word or what someone chooses to believe,” Borges said. “I have seen it in white communities, Black communities, Hispanic, Asian, you name it.” Emphasizing that his perspective is shaped by lived experience, not theory, Borges acknowledged that perceptions may vary, but he firmly rejected the notion that his comments were racially motivated. “If your intent is to label me as racist over the use of ‘hood culture,’ that is your belief,” he added. “It could be a white chief saying the same thing and there still would be no racist meaning behind the word.”Borges, who is a minority himself, pointed to local support within the Black community in Magee, asserting that most residents back the department’s stance on restoring order. “The only people who seem to have a problem are usually the ones constantly breaking the law and refusing to take responsibility,” he said. While acknowledging that language evolves and definitions can shift, Borges emphasized that his leadership is grounded in experience and a commitment to real change. “I do not owe silence to anyone uncomfortable with reality,” he said. “This is not about fitting into a narrative. It is about getting results. And in Magee, we are getting them.”
