[DumpsterDiver]

I posted this is on some other thread but here it is again:

Police Checks of Cars Halted
Maywood temporarily suspends checkpoints after complaints they ensnared mostly illegal immigrants without driver's licenses.

By Jose Cardenas
L.A. Times Staff Writer
August 22, 2003

Maywood has agreed to a four-month moratorium on police checkpoints, criticized by some for mainly ensnaring illegal immigrants who can't get driver's licenses.

Mayor Pro-Tem Samuel Peña and Mayor George Martinez announced the moratorium at a meeting attended by hundreds Wednesday night at St. Rose of Lima Church. The meeting was the result of efforts by two community groups that for months have worked to organize residents in opposition to the policy.

"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.

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

The checkpoints were established at 6 p.m., twice monthly, at four of Maywood's busiest intersections.

Some residents said that the checkpoints mostly caught undocumented workers, who cannot legally get California driver's licenses, as they drove home from work.

Residents also have criticized the checkpoints as a money-raising device for the city and a tow-truck operator with which it has a contract.

That company, Maywood Club Tow, earlier had agreed to release vehicles impounded at checkpoints to their owners without charge until Sept. 10.

Some residents said the four-month moratorium might be sufficient if a measure now in the state Senate — SB 60 — which would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, becomes law.

The rest of the article is here.

[FITZ]

Some residents said that the checkpoints mostly caught undocumented workers, who cannot legally get California driver's licenses, as they drove home from work.

Then do the impounds for lack of auto liability insurance. Most illegals won't bother getting that either.

[sweetliberty]

I guess only law-abiding citizens can be criminals now (think "hate speech"). Wonder how many non-hispanic "communities" (I hear there are a few left) could make this work for them. Just complain and the cops let you break the law. No problem.

[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!

[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!