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Protect and serve those here legally

Mayor Melvin Mack of Laurel is upset that crimes against Hispanics have risen.

He states that Hispanics are afraid to report crimes committed against them; many do not speak English, and may be undocumented workers. Touché.



While beefing up patrols and increasing wages for the police is a good move, the quagmire is that it is being done, not to serve the public but to protect the illegals.

While your assistant Police Chief Tyrone Stewart is stepping up patrols in the city's Avenues neighborhoods, where the large population of Hispanics reside, why don't you inquire if they have entered the United States illegally?

Joe Avalos, a local businessman, is pleased about the stepped-up patrols, and suggest some Spanish-speaking officers on the shifts would greatly help. Since he obviously caters to the illegal Hispanic community, and it is condoned there, just hire an illegal to interpret for you.

The police have arrested three black youths in Laurel for crimes against Hispanics. Did you also think about arresting the Hispanics for being here illegally? Of course you did not. Cheap labor is good for business. Never mind that the taxpayers take care of the hospital bills for the injured non-insured illegal workers, and the birth of their babies in the hospitals; which then grants social benefits for the babies and the mothers.

I am not condoning the behavior of the youths involved. Since they probably live in those same neighborhoods where they are already disadvantaged by the system, what do you expect?

Are there enough jobs in Laurel to go around, or are the illegals consuming the jobs that the poor don't get? Will we hear the same rhetoric that they won't work for the low wages the illegals are willing to accept?

Mayor Mack, this is America. We speak English. You are not expected to cater to the language of illegals with tax dollars, or for their protection.

Sally Blaising

Petal