Thread: Pomona Police checkpoint angers "residents"

Pomona Police checkpoint angers residents
Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Article Created: 05/06/2008 10:36:38 PM PDT


POMONA - A weekend checkpoint caused residents to express concern and accusations to fly at a City Council meeting on Monday.
Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa said residents were frightened and that the behavior of officers reminded her of movie scenes depicting the Gestapo.

Several people spoke at the meeting about Saturday afternoon's DUI checkpoint at Mission Boulevard and San Antonio Avenue.

Police Chief Joe Romero said the remarks about the Gestapo were offensive to the officers at the checkpoint and that they were owed an apology.

Pomona businessman Francisco Espinoza said the checkpoints targeted Latinos and urged the council to "take control of the city."

"Take it back. You control the Police Department, and you work for us," he said.

Carrizosa said the city needs to be safe for residents without police using such an intense approach.

"The display of force was unequal to anything I have seen," Carrizosa said, referring to the number of officers involved.

"I certainly believe we need to put a stop to this," she said.

The department conducts checkpoints regularly around the city with the use of state and federal grants. This checkpoint was timed with the Cinco de Mayo weekend which, like other holidays, is linked with alcohol consumption, he said.

"It's a drinking weekend and has nothing to do with race," he said.

Councilwoman Paula Lantz, who said her views on checkpoints often differ from Carrizosa's, said: "What I saw Saturday was extremely disturbing."
Lantz said she saw people driving to shops and offices in the area being stopped by police.

Police Sgt. Patrick O'Malley said Tuesday that officers did stop people.

These were "people that are contacted because they committed vehicle-code violations and there was probable cause" to stop them, O'Malley said.

A total of 2,925 drivers were contacted from 4 to 11 p.m. at the checkpoint.

A total of 125 drivers were cited for vehicle-code violations or driver's license issues. Two people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, police said.

monica.rodriguez@inlandnewspapers.com

http://www.dailybulletin.com/ci_9176678 ... ost_viewed

This Carrizosa person , same type imo that would want a ID chip implanted to protect her kids . Non thinking Latino Lib . Stupid piece of offensive journalism . Police didn't deserve that la raza plant at the meeting planting "Fear".

These people can't stand any kind of law enforcement that may require some people to obey the laws of the United States....check points have been going on in this country for years!

WE HAVE LAWS IN THIS COUNTRY AND PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE LAWS. THERE HAVE BEEN POLICE CHECKPOINTS AT DRINKING EVENTS FOR AT LEAST 30 YEARS. THEY DO THEM EVERYWHERE NOT JUST AT HISPANIC EVENTS.

If they are afraid, they must be illegal. Keep up the good work. Pomona is my neighbor and I am glad they are trying to rid their city of illegals. Ontario should be next.

http://www.ci.pomona.ca.us/city_departm ... a_mail.php
Cristina Carrizosa phone: (909) 620-2073

Contact info for the council woman.

and my reply is---


in regard to your comments that are attributed to you from an inland daily newspaper website I must take GREAT EXCEPTION with this comment..Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa said residents were frightened and that the behavior of officers reminded her of movie scenes depicting the Gestapo.

Ms. Councilwoman, i demand that you refrain from comparing ANYONE to the Gestapo ever again. You see, if you know your damn history, when the gestapo arrest you, chances are your not going to see the next day or the next week. Police officers who do routine checkpoints are out there doing their job and dont need to be slandered by your stupid RACIST remarks. Remember, the gestapo and germany of WW2 days were trying to rid the world of Jews. Checkpoints by the police or sheriff are just that, checkpoints. It might get a few drunk drivers off the road and if that works then that makes the roads SAFER FOR EVERYONE. The city does deserve to be safe and if someone is stopped at a checkpoint and if comes back that this person has warrants out, well, guess what, there is one less criminal on the road. Now if you have a problem with that, please, resign and go live in a country where there are no laws, if you can find one.

this is one person who says that the checkpoints need to continue because i dont want to have some drunk crash into me and my family and to have one of them die because you dont want checkpoints. if i get in an accident with a drunk and find out that you stopped checkpoints. will you pay for the doctor bills? will the city? will the drunk??? the answer to all three is NO WAY.