Final UVA Report on Illegal Immigration Presented Tues. 11/16

MoonHowler

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Novemeber 16, the final  UVA Report on illegal immigration will be presented during the BOCS Meeting.   Dr. Guterbock of UVA will present the final report to the BOCS tomorrow afternoon. 

There are a few irregularies.  The report was not available at the time the agenda was published on the county website.  If one clicks on view, there is just the title sheet and no report.  As much as UVA  has been paid to do this report, not having at least a draft available is simply unacceptable. 

To add to the irregularities, a recess as been added to the order of business and a press conference  has been scheduled following the formal presentation by Dr. Guterbock.  Whoever heard of interrupting a Supervisors meeting for a press conference?  Perhaps Corey is afraid that the Chief is going to schedule one also and steal his thunder.  We feel certain Corey wants to put his own spin on things, especially if the UVA report says something he doesn’t like.  In Prince William County, the spin does not necessarily stop here. 

Why would a press conference be scheduled in the middle of a meeting?  Why was no draft available to preview?  Tune in tomorrow afternoon.  This ought to be quite a show.  Does Corey’s entire rule of law campaign hang on this report? 

CORRECTION:  The supervisors had a copy of the report delivered to their house on Saturday afternoon.  This is getting more mysterious.  Why was a copy NOT posted on the agenda?

Final Report

Evaluation Presentation

 

PWBOCS Cuts 8 More PWC Police Officers

MoonHowler

Today, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously cut  8 more officers from the police department budget.  That makes a total of 8 officers and 12 support staff in the past 2 years.  In addition, a million dollars has been removed from their supplies budget.  This would have covered  training, radar, and other equipment.  Another half million dollar cut is looming on the horizon.  The cut became effective today.

There have been no new police officers added in the past 3 years.  Supervisor Nohe asked if they were really cutting police officers.  The answer is yes.  Even though there were 8 vacancies, there are still 8 fewer uniformed officers out defending public safety today than there were yesterday because these positions were abolished and cannot be filled. 

Perhaps one of the most devastating areas to be cut  is in the schools.  Starting 2011, there will be no police officers in middle schools.  The school police officer program  has been a highly successful one which cut down on neighborhood crime, bullying, gang membership and other annoyances that seem to plague kids of middle school age.  These officers knew the kids, the teachers, the administrators, the bus drivers, and many of the parents and had a good working relationship with all of the above.  They were able to ward of f potential problems.  After this year, the schools will just have to call and get whoever responds.

There are still 6 officers who are authorized to process 287(g) related matters.  These officers in the Criminal Alien Unit only work on issues dealing with illegal immigration and continue to  be funded. 

Prince William residents are going to have to decide how important public safety is to them.  Most folks don’t give it much thought until something happens and they need a police officer, on the double.  The wait time might be getting a lot longer as retiring officers are no longer replaced.  This might be the time to start asking how much more of a loss can we take. 

Reading the paper, it seems that PWC is plagued by more crime that is associated with inner city crime.  Any time something large happens, many officers are tied up on the scene and cannot respond to other calls.  When officers work a large crime scene, that means they aren’t out in your neighborhood or mine.  Are we willing, as a county, to let this happen?  Or should we start howling and demand that PWC begin to budget for these losses from the state.  A few pennies added to our tax rate might make a great deal of difference in public safety in Prince William County.

Part 1: Police, Feds: Warning Signs Regarding Implementation of the Immigration Resolution

MoonHowler

Part 1. What did the BOCS know?
Part 2 will show that Corey accuses others of ‘having blood on their hands’ when he knew very good and well the situation with I.C.E. Judging from the dates, he also needs to admit that this issue did not start or end with the present administration.

This video was from a BOCS meeting Spring , 2008. It shows the problems inherent in the MOA between ICE and the county. Let’s revisit some of the issues. It seems that many people have forgotten what really happened.

Both Charlie Deane and Jail Superintendent Pete Meletis give their points of view.

Chief Deane updated the BOCS on the status of the Immigration Resolution. Superintendent Meletis warned the BOCS of the problems the ADC was encountering with ICE. ICE was not picking up the ICE detainees after they had served their time in PWC. PWC was attempting to have every illegal alien picked up. ICE rep Mark McGraw told the BOCS that their numbers were overwhelming. He felt that PWC was getting away from the original understanding which was to remove the worst of the worst from the county.

Reminder to his critics: Here you will see Chief Deane salute the job he was given to do. What has changed?

At some point, even the most die hard anti-immigration person has to admit that they cannot deport illegal immigrants themselves. They must rely on ICE and a federal deportation judge. A locality can enact all the draconian laws they want…it doesn’t make ICE get there any faster.

ICE to Release Illegal Immigrant Names

MoonHowler

From the Manassas News & Messenger:

Prince William County, Va. – Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will release to Prince William authorites the identities and final disposition of every convicted criminal illegal immigrant apprehended in the county and turned over to ICE, said Chairman Corey A. Stewart on Saturday.

Stewart indicated that this reversed three years of “stiff-armed” responses by ICE to the same question. “They’ve also said they will increase detention center space in Virginia to hold illegal aliens until deportation. It won’t solve the problem, but it will help alleviate the problem.”

Read More

WaPo Says PWC Immigration Resolution Still Controversial

MoonHowler

The Washington Post printed this story over a week ago. Elena and I are not sure how we missed it. We believe the parallels are important. We have reprinted the entire article by Tara Bahrampour:

By Tara Bahrampour
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 7, 2010

Three years after the Prince William County board approved an ordinance similar to the controversial immigration legislation passed last month in Arizona, county residents are still arguing about whether it has achieved its intended effects. The results might offer some insight into how Arizona’s new law will play out.

Special Report: The Battle Over Immigration

The Prince William ordinance, which initially required police to check the status of detainees they suspected of being undocumented immigrants, raised ire among immigrant advocates and drew sharp criticism from the county police chief, who said it would cost taxpayers more, lead to allegations of racism and erode police-community relations — predictions now being made by opponents of the Arizona law.

The Prince William ordinance was modified in 2008 amid charges that it was unconstitutional and could lead to racial profiling. In the end, rather than questioning only people they suspected of being undocumented immigrants, officers were directed to question all criminal suspects about their immigration status once an arrest was made.

The county also participates in the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement “287(g)” program, in which a cadre of police officers are trained and deputized to act as ICE officers in making status checks and referring individuals for deportation.

Read More

Radio Interview with Greg and Caller Elena 5/8/10

MoonHowler

Greg Letiecq interviews with ‘Sarge’ on the Jeff Fargas Show. Sarge is out in Arizona.

The show takes callers and Elena calls to throw in the other side of the story.

The podcast will appear. It takes about a minute. You will want to chose the May 8 if it isn’t chosen for you.

Sorry folks, it isn’t pretty but I got it here…sort of.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SHORT VERSION

Timely and Chilling: PWC from an AZ Perspective

MoonHowler

At least some folks will be well-known out in AZ. Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Central tells a story he describes as chilling and provocative. Funny the names that pop out at us from the Grand Canyon State. Meanwhile,  theaters in Tempe continue to be sold out.

In 2007, Prince William County in Virginia enacted a policy requiring police officers to question anyone they had probable cause to believe was in the country illegally

That has a familiar ring to it.

Read More

9-Year Old Saves Little Brother from Abductor

MoonHowler
Photo by Uriah Kiser/News and Messenger
Photo by Uriah Kiser/News and Messenger

A would-be abduction was thwarted by a 9 year old boy who pushed his little brother to the ground to keep him from being kidnapped.  The incident happened in an upscale neighborhood in Bristow.  PWC police are urging parents to warn their children and to be on the lookout for  :

The 9-year-old told police the attacker was white, between 40 and 50 years old, about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a small silver hoop earring in his right ear and a goatee. He wore a yellow polo shirt with a pocket on the left chest and light blue jeans.

The little brother who is aged 5 is fortunately he has a quick thinking older brother.  This incident in a reminder to all parents that abduction doesn’t just happen in bad neighborhoods.  Abduction can happen anywhere.  According to the News and Messenger:

MANASSAS, Va.—As police searched for a would-be kidnapper Wednesday, a 9-year-old Bristow boy was hailed a hero for saving his 5-year-old brother from the abduction attempt.

Walking home from a friend’s house about 5:30 p.m. Monday, the two boys decided to cut between two homes near the intersection of Noltland Castle Drive and Lennice Way.
A man then approached the two from behind and grabbed the 5-year-old, said Prince William police spokeswoman Erika Hernandez.

The 9-year-old rushed to his brother’s aid and pushed the younger boy to the ground, effectively freeing him of the would-be abductor’s grasp, said police.

The attacker ran from the scene, and the children ran home.

Parents’ reactions can be read at insidenova.com

Manassas Gets First Look at “9500 Liberty” Tuesday Jan. 26

MoonHowler

Press release:

Manassas Gets First Look at “9500 Liberty”
Award-winning Documentary Recounts 2007-2008 Immigration Culture War

MANASSAS, VA — Jan. 22, 2010
Mid-way through a national tour that has netted two film festival awards and two city proclamations, “9500 Liberty” returns to the place where it began when George Mason University’s Verizon Auditorium hosts a Tuesday 6:30 PM screening on Jan. 26.

This is the first time the feature length documentary has screened in Manassas, home to several of the film’s primary figures, including Greg Letiecq, a blogger and political activist who helped engineer the passage the nation’s most aggressive local ordinance designed to “crack down” on illegal immigration, and Gaudencio Fernandez, a building contractor who protested the law by erecting a series of banners on his property near the Old Town Manassas train station. The film reveals in dramatic detail how and why the controversial “probable cause” mandate for immigration status checks was repealed in April, 2008 by the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
6:30 PM
Verizon Auditorium, Occoquan Building
George Mason University, Prince William Campus
10900 University Boulevard
Manassas, VA 20110-2203
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Directors Eric Byler of Gainesville, VA and Annabel Park of Silver Spring, MD have traveled with the film to ten states in recent months, with a host of upcoming screenings that include Hampden-Sydney, VA, Ohio, Montana, and Nebraska. In February, “9500 Liberty” will be presented to Members of Congress at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday’s screening, presented with Spanish subtitles, is the opening night for the Immigration and Human Rights Cinema series, hosted by George Mason University and the local interfaith group Unity in the Community. It will be followed by a Q & A discussion with the filmmakers and representatives of the Prince William County Police Department, including a Spanish speaking Officer.

“9500 Liberty” won Best Documentary at the Charlotte Film Festival last September, and the Audience Award at the St. Louis International Film Festival in November. The Mayor of Austin, Texas and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors both issued proclamations commending the film prior to public screenings. The filmmakers expect to announce a cable television premiere and a DVD release date in coming weeks.

####

East Coast Serial Rapist Comes to PWC for Halloween

MoonHowler

 

    <————-    Location of assaults in the area

A serial rapist who has been terrorizing the East Coast since 1997 arrived in time on Halloween to attack and rape 3 teenage girls who were out trick or treating in Dale City.  This rapist has been on the loose and has attacked in 4 states:  Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia. 

 

A video update has been added to the end of this post.  It is a multi-jurisdictional  police press conference containing critical information for the public.

His DNA connects him to the following crimes:

 

  • Feb. 12, 1997 – 6800 block of Marlboro Pike in Forestville, Md.
  • Aug. 20, 1997 – 4600 block of Silver Hill Road in Suitland, Md.
  • July 3, 1998 – 2900 block of 31st Avenue in Temple Hills, Md.
  • June 19, 1999 – Richmond Highway/Memorial Street in Alexandria, Va.
  • Jan. 13, 2000 – 7300 block of Fordson Road in Alexandria, Va.
  • July 8, 2000 – 1900 block of Beechwood Road in Hyattsville, Md.
  • Nov. 20, 2000 – Timber Forest Drive/Edsall Road in Alexandria, Va.
  • May 24, 2001 – Plaza Street in Leesburg, Va.
  • Aug. 16, 2001 – 4500 block of 23rd Parkway in Temple Hills, Md.
  • Dec. 28, 2001 – 3700 block of Rolling Hills Avenue in Alexandria, Va.
  • Nov. 28, 2006 – Valley View Drive in Cranston, RI
  • Jan. 10, 2007 – Smith Avenue in New Haven, Conn.
  • Oct. 31, 2009 – 4300 block of Dale Boulevard in Woodbridge

Read More

ACLU Fights 3 More Loitering Charges

MoonHowler

The ACLU is now fighting 7 loitering charges stemming from arrests made near Coverstone. The names of 3 more Latinos have been added to the already existing request for charges to be dropped.

According to the Washington Post:

“We have two problems here,” said Rebecca Glenberg, legal director of the ACLU of Virginia. “One is that there appears to be a pattern of using this ordinance to target the Latino community, and two, the loitering ordinance [overall] is unconstitutional.”

It was the second time in four weeks the ACLU has acted on behalf of Latinos in the county. A similar motion to dismiss loitering charges filed last month on behalf of four men stated that the county’s loitering ordinance is unconstitutional. Both motions are set to go before a Prince William General District Court judge Oct. 27.

This appears to be a wait and see situation. The 3 men live in Coverstone Apartments. Their attorney, Daniel Voss, reported that the men were doing nothing wrong and were standing outside the complex on a grassy area. However, something seems odd:

All the men were released after the incidents. If, however, they had been detained in the jail, they would have been questioned about their immigration status under Prince William’s agreement with federal immigration authorities, said Voss, who would not comment on whether the men are in the United States legally.

Is that how the Resolution works? Isn’t a person’s status checked post arrest? Does a person have to be jailed to have status checked? I must not have understood the Resolution after all–or are the men arrested legal residents?

ACLU files suit over Prince William County loitering law

MoonHowler

From the Manassas News and Messenger:

Published: August 14, 2009

The American Civil Liberties Union on Friday filed a motion to dismiss charges against four Hispanic men arrested for loitering near the Coverstone apartment complex in Manassas earlier this year.

In the papers, filed in Prince William General District Court, the ACLU challenges Prince William County’s loitering ordinance, saying the law is “unconstitutionally vague,” and allows police to target “disfavored groups.”

According to the court documents filed by the ACLU, Alberto Miguel Arias, 35, Juan Canseco-Rodriguez, 51, Jesus Velasquez Lopez, 43, and Isreal Lopez Amador, 36, were arrested for loitering on May 5.

According to the ACLU, the men were part of a larger group of men standing on the sidewalk near a bus stop outside Coverstone Apartments, where they lived, when police officers approached them on May 5.

The police officers asked each of the men for identification. The men who were unable to prove they lived in the apartment complex were charged with trespassing and the men who could prove they were apartment complex residents were charged with loitering, according to the ACLU.

Prince William County police late Friday said they had no information available about the case.

According to online court documents, Arias, Canseco-Rodriguez, Lopez, and Amador were all charged with loitering.

According to the Prince William County code, loitering is a Class1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Nancy Lyall of Mexicans Without Borders said the four men charged with loitering contacted the group shortly after their arrests.

Nancy Lyall of Mexicans Without Borders said the four men charged with loitering contacted the group shortly after their arrests.

“We don’t understand the reason for the arrests,” she said. “They were standing in a public area.”

Lyall said the group received several complaints of police arresting day laborers in the Coverstone area this spring, but hadn’t heard of any recent arrests under the county’s loitering ordinance.

“We believe these individuals were targeted because of their ethnicity,” stated ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg in a statement.

The four men are due in Prince William General District Court on Sept. 1 for a hearing on the loitering charges.

I decided this one couldn’t be summarized. Was this predictable or what?

Does anyone else wonder who else was involved in this case? I drive in that area frequently. I always see Hispanic men. I never see cops or people being arrested.

Stay tuned. This case should bring out the hounds of Hell and some lively red circles beating the war drums.

Meanwhile, who pays for this? Just askin’. I know who I would like to send the bill to.

Fewer Illegals, More Crime

Alanna

In 2007, Prince William County Supervisors passed the “Immigration Resolution” which stated in part that “illegal immigration has been determined to cause economic hardship and lawlessness.” Has our outcome supported the assertion that ‘more illegals cause more crime and worse economic conditions’ with the converse being ‘less illegals therefore less crime and a better economy’?

According to the Prince William County Crime Report for 2008, crime now, one year after the resolution’s passage crime is slightly increased. This effectively ends our 5 year decreasing crime rate trend which obviously must have existed during our “influx of illegals.”

In financial terms, can we state that our economic hardships have lessened since the introduction of the resolution? Prince William County now leads the state and ranks top in the nation in foreclosures, and our home values have dropped 32%. The neighborhood issues that existed prior to the passage of the resolution are resurfacing as foreclosed homes bought by real estate investors are turned into rental properties. And our County budget is facing deep cuts this year with an equally dismal prospect for next.

Many predicted dire consequences but Supervisors refused to heed their warnings. Probably nobody said it better than Oklahoma Republican State Representative Shane Jett, who opposed similar legislation in his state, when he stated:

“[the passage of these types of legislations] will be the single most destructive economic disaster since the Dust Bowl,”

Now with almost one full year of crime figures, foreclosure numbers, home values, and tax revenue numbers compiled can we definitively state that the assertions in the resolution were completely unfounded?  Strictly speaking, we had lower crime rates and a better economy when the ‘illegals’ were here.  Will the status quo remain, as Stewart continues to assert that the resolution is working well?

Obviously this issue has been the single most divisive issue to happen here.  Will Supervisors heed Dr. Fuller’s advice, and change course?  Or, are they content with allowing Chairman Stewart to continue down this path hoping that voters will only hold him responsible?