New Mayor Taking Action

GRANGER -- The League of United Latin American Citizens told Action News, they wanted an investigation into City Leaders.

Today, they got a guarantee from the incoming Mayor that it will happen.

"I was already aware of some of the allegations that LULAC has shared with me," Newly elected Mayor, Ramona Fonseca, said in a press conference.

She's not the Mayor of Granger yet, but she's already making a big decision for the City.

She announced she will help the civil rights group, LULAC, investigate the City Council and the Police Department.

"We talked about the complaints several residents of Granger have brought forward to our organization, which include the Police Department, specifically, Chief Perales," LULAC Rep, Maria Rodriguez-Salazar said.

The group claims more than 50 people in town called with concerns about City procedures and local law enforcement.

Rodriguez-Salazar added, "Some of those complaints are harassment, intimidation, racial profiling . . . "

The list goes on, Maria Rodriguez-Salazar also said some neighbors feel the Police Chief uses excessive force and abuses his power.

She also says Council members are having closed door meetings and not including the public.

"We're in the dark, the entire city is in the dark," Police Chief, Robert Perales, said.

The Chief says the allegations are shocking.

Since hearing the news, Chief Perales said neither Fonseca or LULAC Reps have contacted him or the City about the issue.

Either way, he says he's got nothing to hide.

"The department has nothing to worry about, like I said, we invite anybody who wants to come in and look at our operations," Chief Perales said.

Both Fonseca and Rodriguez-Salazar tell Action News, they have made calls to both Council members and the Police Department, but none of them were returned.

Fonseca says she plans on forming a committee to conduct the investigation within two weeks of taking office.

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/12654391.html

(Washington)