I read Mike Moore's column in your 4/12/07 edition (page B6) with amazement and disappointment. Mr. Moore quoted Wayne Shelor of the Clearwater Police Dept. (CPD) as saying "We only have an interest if someone has broken laws or may have done so. The Clearwater police do not enforce immigration laws." Well, well ..., driving with an invalid driver's license or using a fraudulent Social Security number is 'breaking the law', last time I checked. How can our local police department choose which laws to enforce? Is this what we are paying them for? I think not! They chase bank robbers because federal laws are broken (FDIC) don't they? Of course! Don't our police consider protecting U.S. citizens from illegal aliens who may pose a threat to the public just as important as someone taking money? If we do not start finding out who is in this country illegally, how will we ever know the full extent the terrorism threats against us?
When the CPD stops drivers who can not speak English (and read highway signs) or do not have correct driver's licenses, why can't they ask for proof of citizenship via a passport and/or visa as other countries do? This would certainly help.
When non-English speaking folks come to the police or other agencies for assistance (free, thanks to us legal taxpayers), why can't the authorities ask for proper citizenship papers? You can bet they would in Europe and probably in Mexico, too!
In fact, I was in France and Italy back before 9/11/01. These are pretty typical European countries where if you do not speak their language they quickly suspect you are a foreigner (rightfully) and you must show real identification, such as a valid passport, driver license, etc., whenever you are making a banking transaction such as cashing traveler's checks, or if you are buying automobiles or property. I suspect if you were detained by their local authorities for speeding without valid papers you would immediately end up in jail, too!
Why don't we insist that U.S. laws are just as strict and protective of illegals?
WHEN will America wake up to the threat of terrorism across our porous borders?
Somehow, we all have to start helping out as best we can at the local level. The CPD needs to get involved and get their heads out of the sand!
Richard Vaught
