Hispanics blast impounding of vehicles in L.A.

EFE ^ | August 22, 2003 | Rocio Ayuso.

[sarcasm]

Los Angeles, U.S., August 22, 2003 (EFE).- Hispanics in the South L.A. municipality of Maywood are angry at what they say is a discriminatory campaign in which police are stopping Latinos and impounding the vehicles of those without a driver's license.

"We're not talking about agents of law and order but of official corruption, as though this were Latin America," an irate Felipe Aguirre of the Comite Pro Uno, an activist group organizing protests against the practice, told EFE.

In the last 12 months, more than 1,800 vehicles have been impounded from members of the Hispanic community in a town of some 40,000 inhabitants.

Although the underlying reason for the regulation is road safety, the Comite Pro Uno, supported by the nationwide League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, allege the manner of enforcement in Maywood has made it a new form of racial discrimination.

"They're taking it out on the immigrant community," said Aguirre, after pointing out that the number of vehicles impounded in the community exceeded the total for the rest of the state of California.

The cars were impounded after their drivers could not produce a valid license. Latino activists say seizure of the vehicle is a drastic measure.

The vast majority of undocumented immigrants do not have a driver's license, because documentation is required in order to obtain one. The California state legislature is currently debating a bill that would allow many illegal immigrants to get a license.

Maywood is "99.9 percent Hispanic," as attested by the fact that even the council members are Latino, but the traffic cops are "all white," Aguirre said.

The activist alleges, however, that the problem is not only another instance of racial discrimination.

According to Aguirre, the massive impounding of vehicles in the Hispanic community is aimed at fattening the municipal coffers with easy money obtained from the most needy, whose cars are usually worth less than the fines that must be paid to get them back.

Such was the case with Yolanda and Paolo, a Mexican couple who in the last three months have had their Dodge Shadow - which cost $1,000 - impounded twice, and had to pay $656 each time to get it released.

"It's clear we need to resolve the problem of people driving without licenses in California, but to use traffic laws to seize the property of undocumented immigrants is not the solution," said LULAC president Hector Flores.

This situation should be debated in the state legislature, said Aguirre, who expressed hope that amid the turmoil California is presently experiencing the effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis, the embattled incumbent would see fit to authorize the state to issue licenses to illegal immigrants.

[Publius6961]

Hispanics blast impounding of vehicles in L.A.

Criminals Blast Jailing of Bank Robbers!

Why is this fripping news?

[Publius6961]

"It's clear we need to resolve the problem of people driving without licenses in California, but to use traffic laws to seize the property of undocumented immigrants is not the solution,"

Yes it is.

Its only current flaw is that it's not swift, certain and universal.

Works for me!

[PLMerite]

"...as though this were Latin America,"

Make you feel homesick Felipe?

[moehoward]

I know, but a guy can dream can't he...

[Publius6961]

So he gets out of his car and says "no have licence....no have insurance." I replied "surprise, surprise." Cops got there pretty quickly, but for some reason didn't arrest the guy.

So why didn't you demand that this cockroach be charged with assault?
Sounds like he wasn't driving, more like "aiming".

[Publius6961]

"Our job is to make sure safety comes first." The Police Department is short-handed anyhow, Peña said.

If this "einstein" doesn't see the nexus between unlicensed and uninsured drivers and danger to the rest of us, he should be cleaning up at Wendy's.

Safety indeed!

[SAMWolf]

They're already criminals just being here, why is anyone surprised they don't obey our other laws?

[moehoward]

Correctamundo, This is why only the truly insane would ever believe Illegals will ever play by our rules.

[SAMWolf]

We just received our voters phamphlet here in Oregon. Printed in Spanish, so looks like Oregon's DMV (Department of Mexican Voters) is hard at work making sure the Democrats get votes here too.

[moehoward]

I feel your pain, I live Washington state. Our states will soon (3-5 years?) look just like Cal. The one saving grace is our states cannot afford the same giveaways that attracted all the Illegals to Cal in the first place.

[AZ GRAMMY]

question, if they don't have a driver's license, how are they going to get insurance for there cars?

[SAMWolf]

They keep raising the taxes here and I may move to Washington.

[Paulie]

"Go back to Mexico = Problem Solved."

I suppose that'll work, but I had in mind a different place they can all go to...

[montag813]

WHY THE HECK ARE "HISPANICS" HERE LEGALLY MAD ABOUT PROSECUTION OR CONFISCATIONS FOR ILLEGALS? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS.

[moehoward]

Taxes are already higher here. I have been looking into moving east. I am thinking a state that starts with an "I".

[SAMWolf]

That would be my next choice.

I just want to stay in the PNW.

[dennisw]

The Banana Republicfication of California recieves a setback.

I've heard that building of illegal additions to houses runs rampant in Los Angeles and in California. Done by Asians and Latinos. Officials refuse to enforce the laws on this

[usadave]

"They're taking it out on the immigrant community," said Aguirre, after pointing out that the number of vehicles impounded in the community exceeded the total for the rest of the state of California.

Actually, law enforcement officers are taking it out on members of the "immigrant" community who are violating the law, which is what the officers are supposed to do. Latinos complain way, way, way too much, and I'm sick and tired of it.

[vetvetdoug]

The next three mojados I saw getting their cars towed for not having a license. (Mojado, greaser, wetback, illegal alien, tax evader, etc.) It helps one to be more aware of the particular infractions if one is riding around with a LAPD sheriff's deputy.

[usadave]

"I honestly believe that the community basically said, 'Look, city of Maywood, your checkpoints not only get unlicensed drivers, but they also get unlicensed drivers who can't get driver licenses,' " Peña said.

Then they shouldn't be driving!