Posted on 12/14/2011 4:48:04 PM PST by jazusamo
The city of Los Angeles is taking its sanctuary title more seriously than most by ordering police officers to stop enforcing a state public safety law because it creates an “unfair burden” for illegal immigrants.
A few weeks ago the mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, directed the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to stop impounding the vehicles of unlicensed drivers for 30 days as per state law. The measure is intended to keep potentially reckless drivers off the road and therefore protect the public. It applies to unlicensed drivers as well as those who have had their license revoked or suspended.
Under the law illegal immigrants make up the majority of the drivers who have their cars impounded because they can’t get licenses in California or most states. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told the local newspaper that this presents an “unfair burden” and “disproportionate blow” for illegal aliens, who he refers to as a “valuable asset to our community.”
So the chief has ordered his officers to give unlicensed drivers a chance to avoid having their vehicles impounded by calling someone with a license who would then be allowed to drive the car. The chief says it’s a “fairness issue” because there is a “vast difference between someone driving without a license because they cannot legally be issued one and someone driving after having their license revoked.”
The city’s police union is outraged and is charging the mayor with putting politics above public safety. “This new policy will result in innocent people being injured and killed,” the union said in a statement posted on its website. “It is a sad day for Los Angeles residents because the Mayor is directing the LAPD to purposely not enforce a state law designed to protect public safety.”
The union further points out that the new policy exposes officers and the city to potential legal liabilities stemming from any damage or injury caused by an unlicensed driver’s continued operation of a vehicle that should have been impounded under state law. It also “substantially reduces the disincentives against the unlicensed and unlawful operation of a vehicle.”
The LAPD has a decades-old policy (Special Order 40) that prohibits officers from initiating police action with the objective of discovering the alien status of a person. This prevents officers from inquiring about the immigration status of an individual and from contacting federal officials about an individual’s immigration status. In 2006 Judicial Watch filed a taxpayer lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California asking the court to prohibit the LAPD from expending taxpayer funds to enforce and maintain Special Order 40, which violates both federal immigration laws and California law while placing American citizens at risk.
Laws and fines are only for citizens, silly. The downtrodden shouldn’t be burdened by such things
And if I get hurt by one of these vehicles that the city was supposed to impound? I’ll own Los Angeles. Just sayin.......
Yeah that’s the ticket. Make the Cops job even MORE dangerous.
Yep, and the illegals flock to these cities and laugh at them.
Can’t wait for the first lawsuit.
Don’t be suprised if the first lawsuit is filed by another illegal alien.
Everyone else, pay up and shut the hell up.
Should raise insurance rates on everyone in LA as they are operating a vehicle in an unsafe environment.
They already get SS, welfare, free education, in state college tuition, work under the table pay no taxes, get free medical care, have all the babies they want, since we all pay the bills....
Why, they think company benefits mean a 5 minute break! The bloated greedy employers love their ignorant low wage slaves.
Pay your taxes and go along with it, and shaaaadup!
Vote yes on no. It just don't matter anyway.
“vast difference between someone driving without a license because they cannot legally be issued one and someone driving after having their license revoked.”
Yes there is. The latter is temporarily without the privilege of driving but has proven he knows the rules of the road by passing a licensing test, while the former has never shown any respect for any laws much less something as silly as rules of the road, driving instruction, or testing.
How can a Mayor of one city order his police not to enforce a State law ? Not that the Dims in Sacramento will object, but the state AG or Gov has the power to insist on enforcement of state laws or withhold state funds to the city.
As a former Angeleno, I can assure you, they do just that.
Aw, give the Mayor a break. He's just taking his cue from Obama, Holder, and Napolitano.
Why ? I don’t give them a break either.
Surely you caught the gentle sarcasm in that post, didn’t you?
Yep, I was raised and lived many years in a suburb of L.A. At the last it was getting bad but we left before it got really bad.
I lived in SoCal for half a century, and spent time living in nearly every corner of L.A. county. I finally settled down in Sunland-Tujunga after I was married, and bought a house there, right on the very edge of civilization.
It was a great spot to rear our kids for a long time, but eventually, Hollywood and the SFV discovered our little podunk town, and proceeded to invade it with the dregs of humanity.
In late 2005, I'd had enough of that, and with the downfall of my home state in general, and packed the business and the family off to Texas. Best move I ever made.
Of course, but don’t call me Shirley.
Folks we are in the days of Noah.
Lawlessness abounds.
People doing whatever they think is right. To hell with if it actually is or not.
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