Tulsa World: Mayoral candidates come out against profiling

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Mayoral candidates come out against profiling
They say at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce forum that strong ties with the Latino community are key to effective policing.

Tulsa's mayoral candidates, Tom Adelson (from left), a Democrat; Mark Perkins, an independent; Dewey Bartlett Jr., a Republican; and Lawrence Kirkpatrick, an independent, take part Wednesday in a mayoral forum sponsored by the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Stephen Pingry/ Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/29/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 10/29/2009 5:31 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

All four mayoral candidates said Wednesday that they would not tolerate racial profiling of Hispanics by any Tulsa police officer.

They also said that as mayor they would address the fear of an immigration crackdown that keeps many of the city's Latinos from reporting crimes.

Tom Adelson, the Democratic nominee; Dewey Bartlett Jr., the Republican nominee; and two independents, Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick, participated in a mayoral forum organized by the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The mayoral election is Nov. 10.

Bartlett said it is essential to build good communication between Tulsa police officers and Latin Americans because "obviously the fear aspect that we're witnessing is not a good thing. It's a terrible thing and stops good crime prevention."

He said eliminating the requirement that volunteer auxiliary police officers have college degrees would allow the recruitment of more bilingual people to act as a conduit between police and the Hispanic community.

Adelson said he visited the Police Department's Mingo Valley Division and saw firsthand how the dialogue between police and neighborhood has been somewhat damaged.

He suggested assigning police

to specific neighborhoods in an effort to build trust "so that people, when they are concerned or have a need to call police, will do it because they have that relationship."

Perkins said he, too, believes that putting officers in neighborhoods to create a presence so residents can "get to know an officer outside of the traditional role of an arrest is important," not only to build trust, but to gather information to help solve crimes.

Kirkpatrick said the issue is something to watch closely. He said he needs to "quietly look at the records and see what is really happening and deal with it."

All four candidates were asked how they would address concerns of an English-only language law that would hinder guidance for Hispanics who seek health, public safety and city services.

Bartlett said the city shouldn't stand in the way of bringing down a language barrier.

"Obviously, being a U.S. citizen, English is our common language," he said.

Speaking English is advantageous to all parties in business, commerce and personal activities, "but we have to be aware that if there are problems where a language barrier exists we need to do something about it," he said.

Adelson said about 31 states have adopted some form of an English-only law.

He said that as the mayor he would ensure that Tulsa continues to be welcoming to all newcomers.

"We need to recognize our strengths lie in our diversity of our citizenry," he said.

Perkins said that if such a law would make it more difficult to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents, "It wouldn't make sense and I would tell my legislators I opposed it."

Kirkpatrick asked: "When you say English, are you talking about the English language or the American language? There is a difference."

Bartlett said that when he would need to make appointments to city boards, commissions and authorities, he would seek recommendations from the Hispanic community.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "All Tulsa mayoral candidates address Hispanic community," which was published on 10/28/2009.

	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (10/28/2009 8:08:02 PM) skinny - My bad!
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (10/28/2009 8:10:01 PM) "Bartlett said eliminating the college education requirement for the volunteer auxiliary police would allow more bilingual people to be recruited to act as a conduit between police and the Hispanic community." Did he mean to say "eliminating the citizenship requirement"?
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (10/28/2009 8:24:06 PM) Mar - I think the Caucasian Chamber of Commerce is a great idea. Aren't caucasians now a minority? There's the permission slip.
	Report Comment tfromtulsa, Tulsa (10/28/2009 11:21:22 PM) Is anyone else disturbed by the thought of Mexican nationals joining the Tulsa volunteer auxiliary police? Something is seriously wrong with this picture.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (10/28/2009 8:18:09 PM) I'm still trying to figure out why there is an Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. No wonder most Americans are wary of Hispanics of being in the U.S. They expect special treatment instead of wanting to assimilate into our society. If the Tulsa Metro Chamber changed its name to The Caucasian Chamber of Commerce, non-caucasians would be all up in arms, contacting the ACLU and filing lawsuits.
	Report Comment Few Clothes, America (10/29/2009 2:36:08 PM) Bartlett said it is essential to build good communication between Tulsa police officers and Latin Americans because "obviously the fear aspect that we're witnessing is not a good thing. It's a terrible thing and stops good crime prevention." Dewey, not many of them are legal Americans whether they are from Latinburgh or Mexico.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 6:26:21 PM) Yea right. when an officer see's a Hispanic looking person driving down the street with cultural accoutrement adorning a car interior, you know they are going to be pulled over. I know from personal experience the police profile. My 9th grade son, was stopped walking down the street and asked to produce ID. Why? no reason other than being 1/2 Seminole Indian he has a striking Hispanic appearance.
	Report Comment FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 6:38:11 PM) After health care, lets get immigration done next. Time to settle these waters for good.
	Report Comment lynette, Tulsa (10/28/2009 5:33:22 PM) "I have not ever seen an Officer discriminate against any person in this city." Boy, I have. "I also am aware of where the greatest crime is coming from." Me too. Criminals. Of every ethnicity.
	Report Comment Galadriel, Valinor (10/29/2009 1:07:26 PM) I get it. Tulsa will become a scofflaw sanctuary city, just like Houston.
	Report Comment Green Shirt, Tulsa (10/28/2009 10:00:02 PM) Basically what these three wussies are saying is that they are going to do nothing about illegal aliens. They want to make the comfortable with their lawlessness so they will report the crimes they commit err are committed against them. Tulsa is doomed. Fewer police in north Tulsa, idiots in charge of the budget, but thank God those firemen didn't get furlough days or lay offs!
	Report Comment Moses, Jenks (10/28/2009 6:31:15 PM) Typical politicians, saying what it takes to buy votes! gunit123, want to look at a fool? Got any mirrors in your house? If you don't like us leave & don't let the door hit ya!
	Report Comment aint missbehavin, .. (10/28/2009 8:12:26 PM) Oh yeah waitin on a perfect world,thats the way to think.Its beyond me how any candiate is worried about the illegal immigrants in this land.Lost my vote thats for sure,although I dont vote for anything Tulsa,I wouldnt for that reason.Gonna get lots of votes that way.I guess a van will pick the illegals up and take them to the voting booth.My grandparents knew pretty boy Floyd,and his posse.By all means they was never a christain who never did naything wrong.They was human.
	Report Comment aint missbehavin, .. (10/28/2009 8:51:11 PM) what!WHAT!Say it aint so.No hispanic police.No hispanic politicians?I just get a kick out of you folks sometime.I suppose the illegals are gonna vote?Yikes Ive been gone for far too long,when did that happen?I think when we said home of the free and land of the brave,we didnt say free to all,I think that meant us.USA citizens.I wouldnt vote for anyone who is tryin to get the aliens to vote for them.Dont bring Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson into this.pssss,they are black,as far as I know,American citizens,they might like some taco's,I do.
	Report Comment aint missbehavin, .. (10/29/2009 12:16:58 AM) Who cares anyway.Let them get the hispanic votes.Im waitin on all those hispanic restraunts to go up all over town,forget about beans and corn bread,its Fajita Ritas for me.I say,no po po.HEY!Lets paint the town red.Song of the night/ wanna Pearl necklace.
	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (10/29/2009 2:13:07 AM) Every group wants to know what will you do for us? We have an ever growing latino community. I appreciate the hard working latino families we have here and enjoy the fine Mexican Restaurants they have founded in our City. I agree that much still needs to be done in regards to assimulation and teaching english which the Hispanic Chamber I'm sure is working on. I do understand the outrage of many about those hear illegally and agree our immigration issues certainly needed to be addressed. Politicians are certainly in a touchy situation when dealing with this as not to push away votes. Remember, what they say campaigning does not usually equate with what they do in office.
	Report Comment The A Team, (10/28/2009 8:07:30 PM) The Hispanic community actitivists have done more to provoke fear of reporting crimes and an irrational distrust of the police than the crackdown on illegal immigration or the police ever have. They are the ones who created this climate of fear and distrust, who are now trying to pawn the blame of this self perpetuated problem off on the police and the patriots who want our immigration laws enforce. All they have to do is look in the mirror to see who the real culprits and cause of this are.
	Report Comment The A Team, (10/29/2009 10:29:18 PM) "Whose[sic] the old fat guy on the end?" The only independent candidate in the race for Mayor
	Report Comment veteran_TPD, Tulsa (10/28/2009 4:55:19 PM) I have not ever seen an Officer discriminate against any person in this city. I also am aware of where the greatest crime is coming from.
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/28/2009 5:28:30 PM) Isn't it funny that those who are the first to scream "racist", display reversed racist attitudes? Amazing......
	Report Comment Corvetteguy, Tulsa (10/28/2009 8:00:56 PM) FUTURE WORLD said: "After health care, lets get immigration done next. Time to settle these waters for good." Future is right again. Let's get this socilaized medicine program shut down, and then let's seal the borders. That way legal immigration can return for those who respect the laws of this nation,... JUST like our great grandparents followed.
	Report Comment lufkin, (10/29/2009 11:53:18 AM) The flippant Mark Perkins is the king of pandering.This guy panders to every ethnic and sexual special interest he can find.Perkins is not even for official English.Promise the homosexuals something,promise the hispanics something--and mouth plenty of platitudes--that is the Perkins campaign.
	Report Comment flyingtheo, Broken Arrow (10/29/2009 9:42:41 AM) Oh right, let's all fall all over ourselves proving our "political correctness". LOL!
	Report Comment 007, Tulsa (10/28/2009 6:11:39 PM) veteran TPD You said it.
	Report Comment Bville, (10/28/2009 5:16:06 PM) "...the fear many of the city’s Latin Americans have in reporting crime in their areas due to immigration crackdown." Speaks volumes.

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