Houston Police Chief Surrenders to pro-illegal activists! No more arrests.
Posted on Thursday, September 15 @ 08:47:34 EDT
Topic: illegal immigration alien arrests
|
 Instead, HPD chief says he wants to build a rapport with immigrants
Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said his department will not do any more day labor sting operations like the one mounted west of downtown earlier this month.
Day labor, crime scenes, arrests, enforcement, laws, gangs, Americans, local police, Congress
9/14/2005
By EDWARD HEGSTROM
Houston Chronicle
In a meeting with activists Monday, Hurtt said he wants to build trust with immigrants, and he was concerned about the way the operation was handled, according to a police spokesman.
Members of an HPD tactical unit dressed up as contractors and arrested 30 day laborers near the corner of Shepherd and Washington. The men were charged with soliciting work in the roadway, a misdemeanor.
"We will not be doing this again," said Lt. Robert Manzo, an HPD spokesman.
Residents of the neighborhood west of downtown say the area has experienced a quick rise in the number of burglaries, which they link to the immigrant day laborers who loiter on the corners looking for work. Some expressed frustration at the chief's decision.
"It sounds like we need to get together neighbors, the victims of crime, and have a meeting with the chief," said Lisa Flores, who lives in the area. "If he has made a decision like that, he doesn't understand how bad the crime is."
Flores' home was invaded last November by knife-wielding robbers, she said.
Juan Alvarez, leader of the Coalition Against Intolerance and For Respect, said he was pleased with the promise from the chief. Alvarez, who was in the meeting, said the chief explained that the operation was organized by a HPD tactical unit without proper input from the police command.
Alvarez, however, could not persuade the chief on another matter. HPD officers sometimes photograph day laborers who do not carry identification in order to prove in court that they have been warned against trespassing. Alvarez asked the chief for a moratorium, but the chief refused.
Alvarez has worked to organize the day laborers around the city with limited success. A citywide meeting for day laborers he called last month drew only about 10 workers. He said it has been difficult to organize the workers because many are frightened of authorities.
Discuss this article in our Discussion Groups and meet CITIZEN ACTIVISTS!
PLEASE sign up for our e-mail alerts on breaking news, events, lobbying efforts, and ALIPAC efforts using the BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER
Return to the Homepage
|
|
| |
| Article Rating | Average Score: 2.75
Votes: 4
| |
|
Contribute/Join
