Thread: Traffic checkpoints draw a crowd in Richmond

Traffic checkpoints draw a crowd in Richmond
By Karl Fischer
West County Times
Article Last Updated: 09/01/2008 06:36:11 AM PDT

Aqui Derecha!

Juan Reardon, standing on the corner of 23rd Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond on a hot Monday afternoon, strongly suggests you turn right. Particularly if you speak Spanish. Particularly if you lack a driver's license or drive an uninsured vehicle.

Just know that police wait ahead at a checkpoint to ask for that paperwork, and to tow cars.

"We have a law that mandates you to have a driver's license, but at the same time prohibits you from getting one," said Reardon, fronting a group of placard-waving locals. "And the Richmond police, by implementing these BS policies, are ... directly targeting the Latino population."

Every month, Reardon protests in front of a driver's license checkpoint somewhere in Richmond. More often these days he's not alone — and in an election year, the city's political establishment has taken notice.

Public attitude about the checkpoints may factor into several City Council campaigns as law enforcement and elected officials grapple with enforcing state traffic safety laws that an increasingly active voting constituency considers discriminatory.

With its burgeoning population of La tinos, including many immigrants, Richmond has grown highly sensitized to immigration policy and laws that penalize undocumented residents. While most of those laws originate in state or federal government, it falls to local government to enforce them.

Therein lies the pressure.

"Checkpoints target illegal driving that really does compromise the safety of everyone," Richmond police Chief Chris Magnus said. "We are trying to perform law enforcement and public safety activities as separately as we can from political influence."

That has grown increasingly difficult of late. Mayor Gayle McLaughlin last week sent an extensive information request to Magnus seeking data about citations and tows, as well as clues to the ethnicity of cited drivers.

"At this point, the mayor has no statement," said Marilyn Langlois, McLaughlin's aide. "We'll have a better sense ... after we review the information."

Reardon, not currently employed by the mayor, served as McLaughlin's campaign manager during the 2006 election. That connection fuels speculation about the mayor's interest, both within the Police Department and among City Council hopefuls.

Candidates Corky Booze and Chris Tallerico, both strong checkpoint proponents, turned out to watch last Monday as police funneled traffic through orange cones on 23rd, the main business arterial for the region's Latino community.

"Driving is not a right. It's a privilege," Tallerico said. "If this provides us with a safer city, more power to it. I don't understand why the mayor's campaign manager is shouting in the middle of the street."

Booze went further, challenging Vice Mayor John Marquez to a public debate about where his loyalties lie.

"I want to know why (Marquez) isn't down here right now, educating his people about the law," Booze said.

Marquez, one of the city's first Latino politicians and the council member most closely identified with the Latino business community, also is chairman of the council's public safety subcommittee. He joined in a unanimous vote in the winter to support checkpoints and also clamored for the California Highway Patrol to temporarily supplement the local police force.

The CHP officers mainly performed traffic enforcement, which wound up angering 23rd Street merchants, who said their aggressive work drove away customers. Marquez found himself asking police to ease off the effort he initially led.

"It is a dilemma, and until the (state) Legislature approves a bill that solves the problem, I don't know what the answer is," Marquez said.

Richmond police, like those in neighboring cities, regularly stop traffic at checkpoints along major arterials to ensure that all passing through carry licenses, insurance and registration. Culling unlicensed drivers and impounding their cars helps cut down on hit-and-run crashes, Sgt. Andre Hill said, a growing problem in the city.

Police attribute the rise in part to a rise in unlicensed drivers, who invariably face stiffer penalties than licensed drivers when caught at the scene of a crash.

Richmond police have held monthly checkpoints for about two years, each time visiting a different part of the city. Protesters, particularly those who direct traffic away from checkpoints, seriously sabotage them, Hill said.

"We might tow 25 cars at a typical checkpoint," said Hill, who supervises the department's traffic unit. "But lately, that number has been in the teens."

Activists consider that good news, as losing a car can cripple a family. State law requires police to impound the cars of unlicensed drivers for 30 days, Magnus said, though his department sometimes shortens that term or declines to tow altogether.

Passions run high when the fleet of tow trucks appears in a neighborhood. Police do not announce in advance where they plan to set up shop, mostly to curtail the placards. And in the spring, Magnus disciplined an officer who lost his temper and confiscated a sign while Reardon peacefully protested in front of a checkpoint.

"This is a policy that affects kids and mothers. It's a stupid policy," Reardon said as a worker from a nearby fast-food restaurant walked over and picked up a sign. "It's at odds with the reality."
http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_10352124

Every month, Reardon protests in front of a driver's license checkpoint somewhere in Richmond. More often these days he's not alone — and in an election year, the city's political establishment has taken notice.

I'm sorry, am I missing something here? What this guy is doing is illegal! HE should be arrested right along with the drivers they are trying to get off the streets. Or else the cops should set up ANOTHER check point right down the road from where this guy is directing unlicensed drivers to!

Take your Illegal butt , drag your illegal kiddies with you . Back across the border to your country . Do you see us in Mexico Whining and Crying bout everything ? NO

Yes accept the Police State Tactics with a smile.

I don't understand why the mayor's campaign manager is shouting in the middle of the street."

Booze went further, challenging Vice Mayor John Marquez to a public debate about where his loyalties lie.

John Marquez , I wonder why???

Richmond police, like those in neighboring cities, regularly stop traffic at checkpoints along major arterials to ensure that all passing through carry licenses, insurance and registration. Culling unlicensed drivers and impounding their cars helps cut down on hit-and-run crashes, Sgt. Andre Hill said, a growing problem in the city.

Good for you Richmond VA!!!

"We have a law that mandates you to have a driver's license, but at the same time prohibits you from getting one," said Reardon, fronting a group of placard-waving locals. "And the Richmond police, by implementing these BS policies, are ... directly targeting the Latino population."

No, there is a law prohibiting ILLEGALS from having a driver's license and no, they're not targeting Latinos, they're targeting illegals. If you weren't a criminal you could drive right through the check points with a wave and a smile. Now go home and get off our roads.

JP wrote:

Yes accept the Police State Tactics with a smile.

Please explain.

ReggieMay wrote:

No, there is a law prohibiting ILLEGALS from having a driver's license and no, they're not targeting Latinos, they're targeting illegals.

I think it would be more appropriate to say they're "targeting" unlicensed drivers (illegal drivers if you will).

"We have a law that mandates you to have a driver's license, but at the same time prohibits you from getting one,"

We also have laws that prevent illegal aliens to enter this country. Apparently existing laws are optional for some...

Good luck to Richmond! Get additional funds by making them them pay to get their cars back.

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

I don't understand why the mayor's campaign manager is shouting in the middle of the street."

Booze went further, challenging Vice Mayor John Marquez to a public debate about where his loyalties lie.

John Marquez , I wonder why???

[quote:t751r0cg]Richmond police, like those in neighboring cities, regularly stop traffic at checkpoints along major arterials to ensure that all passing through carry licenses, insurance and registration. Culling unlicensed drivers and impounding their cars helps cut down on hit-and-run crashes, Sgt. Andre Hill said, a growing problem in the city.

Good for you Richmond VA!!! [/quote:t751r0cg]

That Richmond, VA is in Richmond, CA!!

Good for you Richmond VA!!!

That Richmond, VA is in Richmond, CA!!

LOL