Thread: New Oklahoma law has Hispanics fearing cops

Another boffo job by the MSM...title is all wrong as they intentionally try to overstate the issue and claim fear exits where it doesn't. Hispanics have nothing to fear, ILLEGAL ALIENS have everything to fear. ILLEGAL ALIENS of all nationalities and cultures.

Sat October 27, 2007
New law has Hispanics fearing cops
By Bryan Dean
Staff Writer

A state immigration law that goes into effect Thursday already has some in Oklahoma City's Hispanic community more afraid of local law enforcement than they are of the armed robbers victimizing them, city officials said.

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty said officers will enforce House Bill 1804. But that doesn't mean police will be rounding up illegal immigrants or checking the citizenship status of crime victims and witnesses.

Citty said public misconceptions about the new law are fueling fear in the Hispanic community that could make it difficult to track down violent criminals.

"We're not even enforcing it yet, and we've already seen a building fear of law enforcement, of reporting crimes,â€

Terrill said he doesn't think the law will cause undue fear in the Hispanic community or deter Hispanic crime victims from coming forward.

If you are legal, you have nothing to fear.

[quote]"It's being sold to the public that if you continue to see a lot of Hispanic people, it will be the fault of the Oklahoma City Police Department for not enforcing these laws,â€

This also went with the article.

Bill Citty Oklahoma City's police chief says the state's new illegal-immigration law could make it harder to catch violent criminals.
WHAT'S NEXT
Training offered

Although House Bill 1804 does not give local law enforcement the ability to enforce federal immigration law, it does provide a new way for police to be more active in such enforcement efforts, said Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, the bill's co-author.

The bill allows law enforcement agencies to sign an agreement with the attorney general, send officers to a five-week training course with the Department of Homeland Security, and enforce federal immigration law under the supervision of federal authorities.

About 30 Tulsa County sheriff's deputies are training to do just that, Terrill said.

Oklahoma City officials said they don't have the money to send officers to the course or to replace them while they are gone.

"To be involved in immigration enforcement requires specific training that is time-consuming and expensive,â€

Bill Citty Oklahoma City's police chief says the state's new illegal-immigration law could make it harder to catch violent criminals.

I despise this mentality. It sends the message that if you won't obey our laws and you persist long enough we'll modify our laws to conform to your illegal behavior.

Bill Citty Oklahoma City's police chief says the state's new illegal-immigration law could make it harder to catch violent criminals.

Thats not the opinion of 99.9% of law enforcement, thats the opinion of the Politicians and their supplicant appointed hacks. Those breaking the law should fear being caught and facing the penalty.

some comments from Oklahomans:

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... isRss=true

Copyright 2007 The Oklahoman, All Rights Reserved

The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)

October 20, 2007 Saturday
City Edition

OPINION; YOUR VIEWS; Pg. 13A

820 words


YOUR VIEWS: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ;
Police chief should be fired


Regarding "Police and district attorneys are looking at the state's new immigration proposal; How can rules be enforced?" (news feature, Oct. 14): I agree with state Rep. Randy Terrill. If Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland can't figure out how to do his job, he should quit and let someone who can get the job done. The same goes for Oklahoma City Police Chief William Citty. He should be fired for saying he wasn't going to enforce immigration laws. His job is to enforce the laws that legislators pass, without question.

As for the Hispanic community being afraid of the police, if they are here illegally, they should be afraid! They have committed a crime. It's not that complicated: If you're in this country illegally and get caught, you should be sent home regardless of whether you have a family.

Richard Prince, Moore

Picking and choosing

Regarding "Police and district attorneys are looking at the state's new immigration proposal; How can rules be enforced?" (news feature, Oct. 14): Oklahoma City Police Chief William Citty said his department wouldn't enforce the new state immigration law. Why don't we save the city a lot of money and disband the police department? If the police aren't going to enforce all the laws and instead pick and choose, what do we need them for?

Howard E. Hall, Oklahoma City

Shocking statement

Regarding "Police and district attorneys are looking at the state's new immigration proposal; How can rules be enforced?" (news feature, Oct. 14): I was shocked to read Oklahoma City Police Chief William Citty say that, "We are not going to enforce immigration laws." Is Citty so much above the law that he can decide which laws he will allow the police to enforce?

Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney Scott Rowland said that on some crimes the question is, "Is this enough to uproot someone from their home and family?" We "uproot" legal citizens from their families when they commit crimes and send them to jail. Being here illegally is a crime. These illegals know that they're committing a crime just by being here or they'd have green cards.

The police should have already been enforcing immigration laws. When did the Legislature pass a law allowing law enforcement to determine which laws that they can choose to enforce? I must have missed reading that. That is like saying to someone who assaults another person, "Well, you didn't beat him to death so we will let it go this time." How do we teach our children to obey the law when the Oklahoma City police chief openly states that he won't enforce the law?

If law enforcement can make their own rules, why do we need lawmakers?

Jan Bearden, Carnegie

Call Costa Mesa

Regarding "Police and district attorneys are looking at the state's new immigration proposal; How can rules be enforced?" (news feature, Oct. 14): I'm a new resident of Oklahoma, having come here from California. It's shocking to see that Oklahoma City Police Chief William Citty has "limited funds" to enforce the new immigration law. I want to know how we're going to deal with illegals so I won't have to move again.

Costa Mesa, Calif., has an agreement with ICE to provide an agent or liaison person when suspected illegals are arrested. If Citty would call the Costa Mesa Police Department, I'm sure he could get all the details. Costa Mesa is much smaller than Oklahoma City but probably has as many illegals there on any given day. Profiling illegals isn't necessary. When stopped for a violation and no proof of identification can be produced, it can be presumed that the person isn't here legally. A call to ICE should be all that's needed to hasten the trip back to where the person came from.

Breaking up families isn't the issue. Illegals break up families when they leave their native countries. Why should it be an issue here? The cost of providing welfare, hospitalization, schooling, etc. to illegals causes funding that could be used by Citty to be diverted to their use.

Anthony J. Matano, Oklahoma City

It's a state issue

Regarding "Police and district attorneys are looking at the state's new immigration proposal; How can rules be enforced?" (news feature, Oct. 14): I find it hard to believe that Oklahoma City Police Chief William Citty would say his officers aren't going to enforce immigration laws and that this is a federal issue. House Bill 1804 was passed by Oklahoma lawmakers. That makes enforcing it a state issue now. It may seem an overwhelming task to law enforcement agencies now, but if they make it an issue as important as arresting drug dealers and substance abusers, they'll gradually get a handle on the situation - especially if the "Son of HB 1804" law is passed.

Enabling the police to seize property owned by persons involved in breaking the new laws would seem to be quite an incentive to law enforcement agencies. I'm sure they're up to the challenge.

Edward L. Carson, Oklahoma City

October 23, 2007

Always keep this in mind: Police Chiefs are more political hacks than they are law enforcers. Police Chiefs are an appointed position by the mayor, commissioners or town boards. They are not elected by the people. Therefore they are political talking puppet mouthpieces for the top level town and city administrators. Sheriffs, on the other hand, are elected. They are directly influenced by the people since they must run in elections every, in most cases, 4 years. Therefore, you will see a huge difference in the way Police Chiefs and Sheriffs handle illegal immigration.