Hispanic Community Wants More Policing

[Brian503a]

http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=3706969

Wednesday, August 10, 4:53 p.m.
By Bob Reynolds
Hispanic Community Wants More Policing

Hispanic leaders in Hazleton say they don't feel safe. They want more police officers on the beat who can speak Spanish and break down barriers.

That comes one day after Mayor Lou Barletta pleaded with all citizens, including Hispanics, to get involved in the fight against crime.

Over the last two weeks there has been a robbery, a shooting and a stabbing in Hazleton.

"The concern of the owners of the businesses is that we don't have safety here. We need police patrolling the downtown of Hazleton," said Hispanic leader Amilcar Arroyo.

There is a police substation in the heart of the Hispanic community but it isn't staffed full time. Hispanic leaders say the substation is not used enough and they want to know why.

"When you're proactive you have policemen walking and manning the sub- station 24 hours a day. That's not possible right now with the number of policemen we have however the sub-station is open when we can," said Mayor Lou Barletta.

The police department has only one officer who can speak Spanish.

The mayor Barletta vowed he will hire two more officers, bringing the force to 32. He added he's had a hard time finding officers who can speak Spanish to break the language barrier.

"I can only hire off a civil service list so if there's nobody on that list that doesn't speak Spanish I cannot just arbitrarily select someone," the mayor said.

Barletta wants more Hispanics to get involved with Crime Watch. He said some Hispanics are new to Hazleton and they seem to be reluctant to report crime.

"Every investigation starts with information and can start with a citizen tipping police and not fear they will become involved and will actually help their own neighborhood," said Barletta.

[Defens]

They want more police officers on the beat who can speak Spanish and break down barriers.

There is an entire country full of Police that speak Spanish, perhaps they would be more comfortable there?

[Judy]

Good Defens!!