Eminent Domain Stuff
New London Update (2/24/06)
Bad NLDC!
Coverage of the Rally at New London's City Hall (w/ pics)
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Ridiculous
No, I don't think ridiculous quite captures it. I think that I won't type the words that describe my reaction to this article:
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OAKLAND -- Oakland police officers have stopped setting up roadblocks to check whether drivers are under the influence because of a rash of complaints from the Latino community and City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente.No s$&t! You mean people with a Driver's License shouldn't be Driving?! Man, how insensitive.
The checkpoints, which allow officers to demand licenses and proof of insurance, are an effective way to get drunken drivers off Oakland's streets, city leaders agree. But the checks also have ensnared dozens of illegal immigrants who are not licensed to drive yet otherwise obey the law.
"These checkpoints make people's lives miserable, not make them safer," said Jesus Rodriguez of Oakland Community Organizations, which filed most of the complaints about the checkpoints. "I've watched while the police have towed away cars (full) of groceries, leaving children crying on the sidewalk."
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The new checkpoint guidelines, which are not final, may call for police to notify Latino community organizations of the time and location of coming checkpoints. The checkpoints will be held after the evening rush-hour commute and rotated throughout the city, officials said.
"It's simple common sense," De La Fuente said. "You don't want to stop
people going to or from work. If there are kids in the car, give someone an opportunity to call someone to pick up their kids rather than create chaos."
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While officers have some discretion, the cars of unlicensed drivers are usually towed. To get their cars back, owners must pay $125, plus any storage fees. That is a significant burden to many illegal immigrants, Rodriguez said.
Reid said he has little sympathy with Rodriguez's position.
"I don't care if they are illegal immigrants," Reid said.
"They should not be driving on our streets without a license, without insurance. I expect the Oakland Police Department to do its job and get them off the street."
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