Thread: Hispanic Chamber demands BAN on arrests

That's right!! Arrest the Irish the breaking the law? How dare those Damn Rascists!!

Here is the link to the story:

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art ... /603230400

Thanks for the link. It's also a goood idea to copy the text in case they archive the article later.


Thursday, 03/23/06

Metro police chief asked to ban immigration arrests

Serpas tells Hispanic merchants he can't do that

By AILENE TORRES
Staff Writer


Metro police should adopt a policy that bars officers from asking for green cards or arresting undocumented people solely for immigration violations, a group of Hispanic business leaders urged yesterday.

The request was contained in a letter from the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to Metro police Chief Ronal Serpas.

Hispanic business leaders also called for a meeting with the chief to discuss other concerns about police service after the weekend beating death of a 72-year-old Latino manager of a popular Mexican restaurant.

"We know that in the past the police department has reached out to us, and in the same way we feel we can reach out to them," said Yuri Cunza, president of the Hispanic business group.

In the past, Serpas has said that officers should not arrest undocumented immigrants who are crime victims or witnesses solely on immigration-related offenses. But in a statement released last night, Serpas said the department would not adopt a formal policy.

"Please understand that it would be improper for this department to implement a written policy that would preclude enforcement of any legislative act," he said.

The recent arrest of a Latina murder victim's boyfriend on charges of having false identification documents raised tensions between police and Nashville's growing Hispanic community.

Rudy Aguilar was arrested for having false identification documents after calling police to report the murder of his girlfriend and 3-year-old daughter, authorities said. Prosecutors ultimately decided against filing charges, but Aguilar spent more than a week in jail.

Enacting a formal policy would prevent such arrests from happening as well as improve relations, Cunza said.

Some law enforcement agencies in California and Arizona have similar policies, Cunza said.

The chamber letter, addressed to Serpas and also sent to Mayor Bill Purcell and Gov. Phil Bredesen, spelled out concerns about crime in south Nashville, where many of Davidson County's 35,000-plus Hispanic residents live and work.

The group invited the three leaders to a meeting tonight at 2332 Antioch Pike at 7. Cunza said he had received more than 120 signatures from business owners calling for the meeting.

The business leaders came together after the beating death of one of their own.

Aureliano Ceja and his wife, Teresa, were bludgeoned about the head and neck with a blunt object in their Nashville apartment after he opened the door to an intruder late Saturday night, police officials said.

Ceja, a manager at La Hacienda on Nolensville Road, died from massive head trauma, police said. His wife was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery, said her daughter, Veronica Ceja.

Police suspect the motive was robbery.

Some members of the Hispanic community pointed to Ceja's killing as evidence of increased criminal activity targeting Latinos.

"Our chamber is greatly concerned because many of our members have businesses located in areas where crime rates have elevated," the letter said.

The letter also cited a number of complaints about police service, including a perceived lack of safety, discrimination, poor communication with law enforcement and unsatisfactory handling of police reports.

In his response, Serpas said the department would take action if it is presented with specific complaints.

Tonight's meeting is a chance for the city's leaders to hear what's on residents' minds, Cunza said.

"If he's looking for an opportunity to engage in dialogue and get to know the community better, this may be one way," Cunza said.

Serpas said he wouldn't be able to attend because of the short notice but that department officials were hoping to send a representative.

Purcell is on vacation and not able to respond, according to his office. Bredesen's office said it did not receive the letter and declined to comment yesterday.

Police and a local food distributor are offering a $6,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction of whoever is responsible for Ceja's death.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 742-7463, or 74-CRIME.