My 2-cents on police rounding up illegal aliens
by Elizabeth "Bjay" Woolley on Apr. 19, 2010, under Life, News/opinion, PoliticsThis is more a less a comment on Ryn’s blog post about Senate Bill 1070.
This quote stood out to me:
“”That is an unprecedented expansion of police power,” the Detroit Free Press quoted.”
Actually Arizona is more or less reverting to how it was not too long ago – and I don’t think it was a police state back then. My dad was a Nogales police officer in the 70′s and it was part of his job. In fact, he says, the border patrol would give the police department a box of practice ammo every time they went to the station to pick up a group to be returned.
However, he admits things will be very different now. Back then it was very “Andy Griffith” like – at least the way he tells it. When they caught someone, it was a very peaceful affair, with no resistance or intimidation.
I think things will be very different today. So does he.
Are some of the problems we have now (or the extent) because we had taken this power from local law enforcement and things went out of balance? Is the solution of suddenly re-introducing an animal to the system with no research or a solid plan a good approach?
One blaring difference I see is that back then, the illegal aliens from Mexico were returned to Mexico in what seemed a pretty simple way.
However Senate Bill 1070 says it:
“Allows a law enforcement agency to securely transport an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S. and who is in the agency’s custody to:
a) a federal facility in this state or
b) any other point of transfer into federal custody that is outside the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency.”
Housing, court costs, attorneys….what is this going to cost? Aren’t our police officers and federal facilities spread pretty thin already?
I think this has the potential to go either way – good or bad. Hopefully there is a good plan. There is a plan right? And training? Or are we rolling some dice?
This bill, in and of itself does not worry me too much, however, combined with other recent changes (no more concealed weapon permits required) and desires (state-funded militias). Yes, I worry. The overall mentality worries me. The polarization worries me.
I try not to put myself into a box or on a “side.” I try to look at history, the individual situation, and what is needed for a good solution. So it’s hard for me to say I support this or not.
I’m wondering if our state government has the mental and monetary resources to make this a good thing. From my experience of how Arizona government entities work……
I guess we’ll just have to see.
