Tulsa World: Police chief promises arrests

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Police chief promises arrests

Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer greets Frank Espinosa (left) before Palmer’s luncheon speech to the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. At center is Maria Carlota Palacios, vice chairwoman of the chamber. ROBERT S. CROSS / Tulsa World

By DEBBIE BLOSSOM World Staff Writer
Published: 11/29/2007 2:15 AM
Last Modified: 11/29/2007 2:15 AM

But officers enfor- cing HB 1804 won't engage in racial profiling, he says at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce talk.

Anyone stopped by Tulsa police for a traffic violation who can't provide legitimate identification and proof of insurance can expect to be detained, Police Chief Ron Palmer said Wednesday.

It doesn't matter where you were born or the color of your skin.

"If you have a broken taillight, an improper tag or are driving on the wrong side of the road, we will arrest you. It's that simple," Palmer said Wednesday during a presentation to the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "And we will do that in any segment of the community."

Jorge Figueroa isn't a chamber member, but he said his concerns about a family member who will be deported to Mexico at the end of the week prompted his attendance at Palmer's speech.

Figueroa, like many Hispanics in Tulsa, is upset and confused about the ramifica tions of House Bill 1804, the immigration reform law that went into effect Nov. 1.

Palmer said neither the state Attorney General's Office nor the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office had is- sued guidelines on how to implement the new law, but he is working to alleviate fear and is prepared to investigate any complaints against the Police Department about discriminatory practices.

He acknowledged residents' concerns about being deported to their home countries if they are detained

by law enforcement officers.

"We are not engaged in racial profiling," he said, noting that tales to the contrary are circulating online and in the Hispanic community.

Things have changed in the five years since his first stint as police chief, Palmer said.

"What struck me most was I came back to a Hispanic community that was different than when I left -- a community that is suspicious of the Police Department."

Yet there are common goals, Palmer said, adding, "Neither the Police Department nor Hispanic residents want the criminal element here."

Debbie Blossom 581-8387
debbie.blossom@tulsaworld.com

By DEBBIE BLOSSOM World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment The Oracle, Tulsa (11/29/2007 4:18:08 AM) Let us all encourage the County Sherrifs to perform traffic checkpoints every week,or maybe twice per week.The cost to legal drivers from illegal drivers is enormous.Check for legal drivers liscenses,insurance verification,current tags and safe autos.
	Report Comment jam, tulsa (11/29/2007 4:47:02 AM) Chief Palmer, please keep in mind that "illegal immigrants" are part of the "criminal element" and should be handled as such. Also keep in mind that the chief was hired by Kathy Taylor who wanted Tulsa to be a "sanctuary city". It remains to be seen as to whether the Tulsa Police and Tulsa Sheriff will actually detain illegals for the Feds or not. The Tulsa World, if its doing its job will report statistics on a regular, on-going basis for all to see.
	Report Comment mike, tulsa (11/29/2007 7:40:32 AM) hey oracle why don't we just have chips implanted so the "Government agents" can just scan us as we drive on a daily basis.......are you sure you are not an jmplant yourself?
	Report Comment Maurice, Tulsa (11/29/2007 7:48:27 AM) Probable cause will be the first casuality, followed by Mexicans, Mid-Easterners, and blacks. Watch the harrassment rev up with Palmer.
	Report Comment Maurice, Tulsa (11/29/2007 7:49:37 AM) Probable cause will be the first casualty, followed by Mexicans, Mid-Easterners, and blacks. Watch the harrassment rev up with Palmer.
	Report Comment Sara, Tulsa (11/29/2007 8:32:20 AM) The illegals are already criminals. The illegals are no better than I am to have to obey the law. If I got stopped for not having a driver's licence, no insurance, etc., my car would certainly be impounded, and I would be stuck with a hefty fine. I do not understand why the illegals in this country think that the same law should not apply to them, also. That is why the illegals should be deported. We do not need people in this country that are that stupid. Or, do they seem to think they are a privileged bunch? I wish the police would do check points every day. Get those idiots off the road !!!
	Report Comment Sara, Tulsa (11/30/2007 4:11:43 PM) To #18.. Claudia... I sure hope you are telling the truth, the part where they are deporting these criminals back where they came from. So what if they did not have any money, they did not have any money when they came to the United States illegally. They got just what they deserved !!! Maybe they will tell their friends, so they can move before the same thing happens to them. GOOD RIDDANCE !!!!!!!!!
	Report Comment Matt, (11/30/2007 7:51:34 PM) Sara: Was your boyfriend/husband illegal?Did he betrayed you? Did cheated on you? It sure sounds like it! LOL ,sour B
	Report Comment Sara, Tulsa (11/30/2007 8:13:39 PM) To # 20. Matt.. To answer your question, I would not be caught dead with one, let alone date one. I don't even want one living in the same town that I live in. Do you have a bar of lye soap and some scalding hot water, if so, then I suggest that you go use it, along with your friends.
	Report Comment laura, tulsa (11/29/2007 10:20:24 AM) one question to the police chief......what happend to the only reason for an ICE check or hold was things that were felonies! that's not really the case is it! i see why he has such a bad rep with minorities because he says one thing and does another!
	Report Comment Bob 1, (11/29/2007 12:01:32 PM) Laura; I'm all for them pulling people over and in most cases no matter what race you are they pulled them over for a reason. I can't see why they would stop someone for no apprent reason. Get over you anti racial problem and make sure you and your friends don't have anything to hide and there shouldn't be a problem..............
	Report Comment KERI, (11/29/2007 2:23:02 PM) AMEN TO SARA! You gotta get 'em outta here one way or another. Our laws apply to them as well. SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!!!
	Report Comment RH, (11/29/2007 4:53:22 PM) I for one am happy they will be stopping people to check for ID and proof of insurance. All it takes is one time of being hit by a person with no insurance and you will see what it costs you. Why do you think our uninsured motorist insurance is go much? Because the insurance companies take statistics about the most accidents involving uninsured motorists and adjust the rates accordingly.
	Report Comment Sara, Tulsa (11/30/2007 9:12:53 AM) To those of you that are AGAINST H.B. 1804 You are all Racist, Bigots, Hatemongers, and Troublemakers.
	Report Comment Claudia, tulsa (11/30/2007 10:59:10 AM) For a long time I did not care for HB1804. I knew something had to be done to safe guard our country and OK was a great place to start. However, HB1804 is not being enforced as it was presented. There are many cases of abuse. The reason you don't hear about them is that people are afraid. You won't see a hard working illegal call the press or the newspaper. Instead they will be arrested,fined about $500, have their familiy members called to bail them out and then arrest their family for bailing them out and shipped to Mexico within 3 days, not only without money but no where to live. I do understand the importance of saving our country, I love my country and would not want to live anywhere else but the US. However, abusing a law because we are mad at illegals that doesn't make cense! And it's not Illegals we truely are mad about I believe it is the policies we have allowed and given to illegals that make us realize our own mistakes. We've let our government run loose for too long.Our public officials, let us down long time ago and if we are going to protect what we call America, abusing illegals isn't the way. If the police department does not implement the proper guidelines on HB1804, this law will not pass in any other state and all the hard work to protect our country will be useless.
	Report Comment Bob 1, (11/29/2007 8:41:15 AM) Why do we need a Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce? I would think they would be included in Tulsa's chamber along with all other races.
	Report Comment Rick, (11/29/2007 8:46:20 AM) Maurice, I'd really like to know what you are basing that on. I can assure you that Chief Palmer only has the best interest of the community in mind. Read the article, he's only clarifying that committing traffic violations without identification can result in arrest.
	Report Comment Maurice, Tulsa (11/29/2007 9:04:45 AM) Rick, "the best interest of the community in mind" depends on which community you're talking about. it certainly wouldn't be North Tulsa, where Palmer received strong complaints against his policing methods when he was Chief before. Profiling was also an issue when he was Chief before. Seems I remember some controversy with his policeman son that was quickly swept under the rug.
	Report Comment Bob 1, (11/29/2007 9:09:24 AM) I wouldn't call it racial profiling I would call it going to where the crime is, whether it be north, south, east or west side. More crime should get more attention...............
	Report Comment laura, tulsa (11/29/2007 9:54:17 AM) that's a big lie that the police chief told.....i know first hand 5 people that were pulled over for no apparent reason.....the police pull anyone over for DWM (driving while mexican) because they are the police and they can do whatever it is they want to do! if i were mexican i wouldn't trust the police. they sit in dark areas at night without any lights on and just wait to see who drives by and if it's a mexican they've hit the gold mine and they are pulling them over. i saw a mexican guy get pulled over last weekend and they had him in cuffs sitting on the curb and while they searched his vehicle! they can search these people's vehicle's because they know they won't refuse because so many of them have nothing to hide and they probably feel that if they let them search it everything will be alright and that's not the case! the only crime that they've commited is like i said DWM! tulsa police might as well call it like it is and say that they have several white knights on the payroll that were waiting for something like this law to go into effect and then they could trade their uniforms in after shift change or even during shift change and put on those sheets!
	Report Comment Sara, Tulsa (11/29/2007 10:18:34 AM) Those of you that are complaining because of our laws being enforced, you certainly have the AMERICAN FREEDOM to leave !!!

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