With Citizen Complaints, Rights Group Wants Answers In Granger

By Aaron Kellogg

GRANGER -- A national civil rights organization is stepping into this community, trying to figure out why multiple residents have come to them with complaints about the city's police department.

It's not the first time Action News has heard concerns about Granger Police, but it's the first time a big-name organization has taken notice. The League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC is following up on calls they recieved from people in the small, Lower Valley community.

"Based on what we've heard there's reason for us to be alarmed," Maria Salazar, who's working with citizens to research police department practices, said.

"There is a fear," she said of people living in the community. "It's alarming."

Salazar first came to Granger to monitor elections, something she continues to do in the valley. In recent months, however, her attention has shifted from ballots to Granger Police activity.

"I started getting a swarm of calls from people here," Salazar said of the complaints.

Now she's looking into what her sources, wholly anonymous community members, have claimed: allegations that money within the department is mis-handled and claims of police intimidation. So far, she has a lot of information, but lacks proof to substantiate certain claims. In some cases only interviews with community members back up allegations.

Chief Robert Perales maintains his department is following the rules. In September he told us that he holds his officers to the highest standards and has zero-tolerance for dishonesty in his ranks.

He declined, however, to comment on this report regarding LULAC's activities, citing that Salazar has not brought her concerns to the department. On the phone, Perales said he sticks to the rules, and denies LULAC's claims. Salazar says she finds no reason to discuss her investigation with police.

"There needs to be a process," Salazar said, adding she wants to hear from citizens first before addressing the city's leadership.

In the coming weeks she's planning a forum for residents to air their concerns and try to develop solutions, if and when they are needed.

A date has not been set for the discussions, but if and when they're organized, Salazar plans to bring in other high-ranking organizations to the meeting, possibly including the Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Salazar is not the only one raising a red flag. In the last year and a half, as many as five current and former city staffers have talked with Action News to raise concerns over the police department. As questions remain, proof to back-up claims is scarce.

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