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Reed: San Jose 'Not A Sanctuary' For Illegals
Tomas Roman
May 2 - KGO - Yesterday's Bay Area immigration rallies were all peaceful. San Francisco and Oakland have even declared themselves "cities of sanctuary" for illegals, but San Jose's mayor says his city will not join in.

Mayor Reed was at a Rotary Club Luncheon in San Jose today, a day after the local and national immigration marches and demonstrations of May Day. Mayor Reed was asked whether he thought San Jose could become a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.

Charles Reed, San Jose Mayor: "San Jose is not a sanctuary city. I don't think it should be a sanctuary city. We are going to follow the law. The federal government sets the law. Congress passes the law. We're going to follow the law."

San Jose residents who have experienced yearly crowds in the hundreds of thousands calling for immigration reform have mixed opinions as to whether their police should be involved in arresting illegals.

Ralf Esquivel, San Jose Resident: "I think there's bigger issues. Domestic violence, that I'd rather see them devote time to. Crime itself."

Art Lewis, San Jose Resident: "I think all of the government agencies should work together to enforce the laws of the land."

Melissa Farris, San Jose Resident: "I think they should be able to come here and work. They help us with so many things."

Mayor Reed says his understaffed police department has its own job to do. The federal government will do theirs.

Charles Reed, San Jose Mayor: "We do not intentionally arrest people for not having papers or documentation because our highest priority is the safety of our neighborhoods."

Reed says all residents have to be able to call and trust police when crimes are committed. Unfortunately more officers are needed. He announced today that 15 more police officers will be hired this budget year. Police chief Robert Davis says it's a start.

Chief Robert Davis, San Jose Police: "Over the next five years we need to add almost 600 officers. So in the first year the plan called for an addition of 150 people."

Chief Davis say while he needs more officers soon, his existing officers will continue to help San Jose keep its safe city status.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sectio ... id=5267661