Skip wrote on Aug 3, 2007 11:52 PM:It is really not open for discussion or whining. The California law is simple and easy to understand. If you are not in the United States Legally then you do not qualify for a California Driver's License. END OF DISCUSSION. .... For those out there who have already broken the law by being here Illegally, It means it is also against the law to drive a motor vehicle on any public streets in the state of California.

CALIFORNIA DMV wrote on Aug 3, 2007 11:58 PM:If you are a visitor in California over 18 and have a valid driver license from your home state or country, you may drive in this state without getting a California driver license as long as your home state license remains valid. If you take a job here or become a resident, you must get a California driver license within 10 days. Residency is established by voting in a California election, paying resident tuition, filing for a homeowner's property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit not ordinarily extended to nonresidents. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

CALIFORNIA DMV wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:02 AM:To apply for an original driver license if you are over 18, you will need to do the following: 1) Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service) 2) Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.) 3) Give a thumb print 4) Have your picture taken 5) Provide your social security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office. 6) Verify your birth date and legal presence 7) Provide your true full name 8) Pay the application fee 9) Pass a vision exam 10) Pass a traffic laws and sign test. There are 36 questions on the test. You have three chances to pass. NOTE: NUMBER 6 IS WORTH REPEATING : VERIFY YOUR BIRTHDATE AND LEGAL PRESENCE http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#two500

Birth date verification and legal presence requirements wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:04 AM:The issue of identification reliability, integrity, and confidentiality is of prime concern to all citizens. Eligibility for government services, issuance of various licenses, assessment of taxes, the right to vote, etc., are all determined through evaluations based on identification documents. It is critical that identification documents be authenticated and accurate in identifying each individual. The California driver license and ID card have been declared as primary identification documents in this state by the California legislature. State law requires every applicant for an original California identification (ID) card and driver license to show verification of birth date and proof of legal presence within the United States to help safeguard the accuracy and integrity of departmental documents. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#BDLP

Bella wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:34 AM:Bill Flores,said Friday that the checkpoints disproportionately affect poor and Latino drivers because they sometimes can't afford to maintain their vehicles or because illegal immigrants, many of whom are Latino, aren't allowed to have driver's licenses under California law. So I guess Mr. Flores thinks that illegals are above the law and should be able to drive without a license and insurance and cause accidents due to their lack of driving skills and their unsafe vehicles. That is just so ridiculous. I wish they would have checkpoints daily and continue to get these uninsured, unlicensed, unsafe drivers off our streets.

Carson wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:18 AM:Grass Roots!!! Those that support it are a majority of the honest American's. The only ones that could possibly be against it are the TRAITORS in our Federal Government or the illegal invaders themselves!!!!! Not only does it effect the lowlifes that refuse to abide by the law it also effect those trying to stay alive on them. Whould Mexico tolerate this fiasco???

JoeMorgan wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:39 AM:From article: "....the Minutemen ... which some consider to be a racist organization." The term racist is a synonym to define people of European ancestry. Nonwhites are encouraged to organize along racial lines, to appoint racially defined leaders and to DISCRIMINATE when in their ethnic interests. So, when someone complains about "racism," they are simply complaining about European-Americans discriminating.

I agree wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:06 AM:Please count me as number 701 in support of the checkpoints. Let's keep our local roads safe. Personally, the this is racist arguement is getting very old. No one regardless of race is above the law-period!

just maybe wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:35 AM:Just maybe, people become anti-ILLEGAL-immigrant BECAUSE of things like Flores believes. FLores believes that immigrants pollute more and make up a big proportion of unlicensed drivers. So is it OK for me to believe the same thing or not?

Why try to mislead the public Ms. Bennett? wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:40 AM:"You can't just listen to the whiners," Bennett said. "You've also got to listen to the people who are supportive." Oh so now if one disagrees with a police tactic or for that matter anything they are "whiners" sounds like Ms. Bennett is a whiner and knows that the squeakest wheel gets the most oil. However, Ms. Bennett it doesn't matter how many signatures you get those checkpoints violate the Constitution!! The class action lawsuit brought forward by various civil rights lawyers will put a stop to those checkpoints. Bill Flores is right no matter what they call themselves all these groups are the same. Minutemen, Citizens Brigades, Save our State, Citizens for road safety, You doothn't speek for me, they are all the same.

Paul wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:48 AM:The hit and run rate is down 24 percent and Flores denies any of that reduction is a result of the license checkpoints. Flores needs a reality check.

Mike wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:56 AM:Message to Bill Flores: If the shoe fits, wear it! Stop playing the ol' race card. No one is exempt from having to maintain a drivers license and insurance to drive because of race or ethnicity. If you are here illegally and driving a car (as are most of those caught in these checkpoints), you should also be prosecuted for violating our immigration laws.

Period wrote on Aug 4, 2007 6:58 AM:How can a driver license checkpoint be anti-anything? Except anti-drivers license, if Latinos can’t get a driver license they should not be on the road. Oh, and my heart goes out to those poor people who can’t afford to maintain their cars, maybe they should get free or reduced car maintenance. I know America is such a cruel and evil county, we even abuse terrorist and spy on them, you might be next. For your safety, all illegals should go back to their country of origin, NOW. Oh and tell your friends that this is a horrible place, too!! God Bless!!!!

Racial Profiling why not? wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:19 AM:What's wrong a the police racial profiling to get their man or woman? EVERYTHING!!! We all know that these checkpoints are directed at the brown community. Unfortunately most Americans wrongly believe as Ms. Patricia does that all brown people are illegal immigrants. I think since these checkpoints really only affect one people group negatively this is wrong. Racial profiling is not the answer to this problem. The question should be asked; Racial profiling, Why?

Count Me Too wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:23 AM:702

Big Problem wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:41 AM:As an attorney I can tell you the police have a big problem. Checkpoints at "unannounced locations" are illegal. In fact the law requires you publicize the time and location of any checkpoint in advance. I'm surprised this issue hasn't already been raised. These checkpoints are patently illegal. Looks like the good citizens of Escondido may be headed back to court. What was it last time? 250,000.00?

I'm #702 wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:48 AM:Totally in agreement w/ the Escondido Police Dept and behind the Road Safety group 110%!!! Last week I saw some punk kids driving their parents' minivan down Centre City Pkwy - WITH BOTH SLIDING DOORS PUSHED ALL THE WAY OPEN!!! I did my part to report the unsafe driving conditions ... I wish the Escondido Police would have shown up before they crossed over into Sheriff territory! However, the citizens are responsible to report things like this. It only keeps the rest of our families safer.

Good Move wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:49 AM:The checkpoints do make a difference in that they act as a deterrent for unlicensed drivers, and this makes our roads much safer. I do think that there is quite a bit of racism in our country, but when individuals such as Mr. Flores cry wolf it makes it much more difficult for legitimate protests to be taken seriously. The only argument I could possibly see against this is that it might constitute and illegal search since there is no just cause. Courts may have ruled in favor of such checkpoints, and if they have, then I see no problem with them.

GFN wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:13 AM:I'll be #702. I had my car caved in by an uninsured, unlicensed, drunk illegal driver. A checkpoint like this may have gotten this person off the road before he hit me. Go Police!

El Groupo's ridiculous leadership wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:21 AM:El Groupo just loses all credibility when their leaders make ridiculous statements. It seems like the entire reason for El Groupo's existance is to help illegal immigrants avoid the laws of this land. When anyone wants to enforce laws on them, they pull the racist card. Legal residents are tired of these people and don't buy El Groupo's arguments anymore.

Circulate the petition wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:25 AM:The 700 signers of the petition are just the tip of the iceberg. Get the petition out to the public and I bet you get over 50,000 signatures.

Simon Says: wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:27 AM: So, according to El Grupo the poor, those that can't afford driver license, or to maintain their car in a safe driving condition, should not be required to have a driver license. Contrary to government thinking, driving an auto is a right as is riding a horse. However, when we exercise these rights we take on awesome responsibilities to our fellow man for his and our safety. Our elected officials, and their appointees, have enacted the "rules of the road" and safety laws concerning the condition of autos allowed on the road. Everybody must comply regardless of race. And it is the police's responsibility to go to the geographic area where most driving offences occur and conduct the police work that will best save lives and further provide safety for the public. Everybody should be for the police on the driver license checkpoints. An auto is a lethal luxury, but not a requirement, taking into account our North County Transportation system.

ILLEGAL ENTRY, JUST ONE OF MANY CRIMES wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:30 AM:http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/07/15/opinion/commentary/20_19_267_14_07.txt

Anti-law wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:31 AM:The leap Flores makes from anti-immigration to anti-Latino is a big one. But, if that's all El Groupo has to offer, then I suppose they will stick with that mantra. I guess El Groupo is just anti-law.

Equal application of the law wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:37 AM:If these checkpoints let Caucasian drivers without licenses, registration and insurance off the hook then Flores and El Groupo would have a valid argument. Since that isn't the case, El Groupo should focus their energy on something more positive for their people. Supporting law breakers is not a popular cause.

RG wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:41 AM:Once again the "Latino Rights" activists are in serious denial of law violations by those they support. All they do is make excuses for bad and dangerous behavior. Flores just can't see any value in enforcing the laws. If the checkpoints find a disproportionate number of Latino drivers breaking the law, per Bill F it must be someone else's fault. For once, I would like to read where Flores and other "rights" activists are doing something to improve the people they claim to support. You know, work towards stopping the graffiti, the gangs, the drugs, the DUI, the running from the scene of a crime committed by those they make excuses for. Maybe when they become part of the solution rather than part of the problem, we'll have some respect for them and welcome them and their Latino friends into our communities.

To Skip: wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:44 AM: Discussion and "whining" are a responsibility of being a citizen of this country. We the people have the responsibility of running the country through the "rule of the law." We do this by the "Law of the Land," our Constitution. In accordance with the rule of law, we elect our government officials and put them to work. However, our responsibility does not end there. We must do our part, which is to stay informed, and to whine right up our government officials back. And, one of our methods of whining is through comments sections in newspapers, such as this one, and letters to our elected officials. Elected officials believe that for every letter received there are 10 more voters with the same opinion. I believe that there are a hundred or more voters with the same opinion as most of those in this comment section.

To CA DMV: wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:47 AM: visitors to CA are required to have a CA driver license if they are going to be in the state more than 30 days.

Disgusting arguments wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:50 AM:My friend's mother was killed several years ago by an illegal immigrant with a poorly maintained car with lousy brakes. Does Flores still feel that it's unfair to target prople "because they sometimes can't afford to maintain their vehicles." Or is it ok to have a car with no brakes and run someone over if you are a poor illegal immigrant? What a disgusting argument Flores makes. El Groupo is disgusting. If it benefits illegal immigrants, they don't care what the consequences are. How pathetic!

Robert24 wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:58 AM:Been in several of the checkpoints, never needed to have it announced for me, nor did I worry as I passed through. I guess if you do what you are supposed to do, you don't have to worry. Excuses and racial card playing are just that. Do it right, or don't do it at all. Go EPD!!

To Big Problem: wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:02 AM: You are wrong - I read in the NCT quite often that there will be driver License check points on a date and time. Get with the program boy, and stop being a part of the problem. You don't by chance hang out in a certain geographical area to conduct your business do you?

Hector wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:03 AM:I wonder if Bill Flores was "on the take" as an Assistant Sheriff? He doesn't sound like a "law abiding citizen" to me. He supports illegal immigrants (those breaking the law) and doesn't want the illegals targeted for driving without a license and insurance. We need even more of these license checkpoints. Thank you Escondido PD for all that you do.

Keep It Up EPD wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:35 AM:I'm all for what you are doing and keep it up!

Asian American wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:40 AM:These checkpoints target anyone behind the wheel of an automobile, so how is that racist? It is a matter of whether you happen to be driving on that street where the checkpoint happens to be located. There is a large Asian population working in Escondido, many of us have been stopped and we're not whining about racism. Our we have vaild driver's licenses and our Mercedes are fully insured and registered. Those with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

SUPPORT THE CHECKPOINTS wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:42 AM:It was stated that "Elected officials believe that for every letter received there are 10 more voters with the same opinion". This will help our City Council. If this comment section is accurate, then at least 95% of the voters support the checkpoints! That's over 130,000 Escondido citizens. Keep the checkpoints coming!

Law is the Law wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:53 AM:No Rewards. No Amnesty. Go back 'home', put your name on the list and wait your turn. California law is simple. A license is required to drive and even poor people can get one. If you have the car you can afford the $17 bucks or whatever it is now. Quit whining! No special treatment.

Escondido resident wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:09 AM:Mr. Flores, Why is it that you don't expect poor people to follow the laws, also? Of course illegal immigrants can't get driver's licenses! Does Mexico give illegal immigrants all of the rights it gives citizens of Mexico?

Alf wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:13 AM:I applaud these checkpoints. They remind me of the safety checkpoints in the early 70s because they are looking for things that effect public safety AND they do so BEFORE accidents rather than AFTER. These checkpoints are performing a good service, while the sdmm are stomping around making trouble. Alf.

palomar wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:20 AM:703 and 704 (myself and my husband). We moved to Escondido in 2002, and are now back on the coast. We were rearended on north Broadway by an illegal with no insurance or license, and nearly hit a number of times by reckless drivers while riding our bikes on Centre City Parkway and Broadway. I can't imagine how Flores can look himself in the mirror and state that the checkpoints are not sorely needed for public safety. I would like to see him spend time driving and bicycling around Escondido for six months.

Ken wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:20 AM:Please add my name to the list. Those that are here illegally, have NO RIGHT to be driving, thus causing a road hazardous on our roads. Like GFN, my wife was hit by an illegal aliens, driving without a license, without auto insurance, and no right to be in this country. Someone should do some research to find out how much damage and loss of lives that are caused by illegal aliens. Escondido Police Department----Keep up the great work that you are doing and keeping our streets safer.

justin wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:21 AM:What has this country become? Its A Police State. Is that America? "Show me your papers"! All you sheep that want to live in nazi Germany, get out of My Country!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:41 AM:I guess Bill Flores and El Grupo feel that illegal aliens should be allowed to drive our roads without licenses and insurance, and doing so in cars that many times don't even belong on our roads. Has Flores looked into statistics? And since many illegal aliens don't have licenses, insurance or even register their cars, I guess the taxpayers are footing the bill for up-keep on our roads. I'd be willing to bet most of the hit-and-run incidents are caused by illegal aliens. And who pays for all this? Not illegal aliens. We do. This is yet another reason we need to have these checkpoints and hopefully we can begin the slow process of getting illegal aliens out of our communities.

Where can I sign it wrote on Aug 4, 2007 11:12 AM:Where can I come to sighn the petition to get these criminals off the road. I have 100 people who will sign it. Lets show El Groupo that there nothing in our American society, there even spelling there name in Spanish. Keep trying to protect criminals in our communities, we will be there to bust every one of them. Life is good

Mr. Flores is the racist wrote on Aug 4, 2007 11:26 AM:Here we go again,calling anyone who wants are laws enforced "a racist". Amazing! Quit race baiting Mr. Flores! The laws of the United States need to apply to all! Oops, I forgot, you don't want our laws to apply to "La Raza". That's right, the illegals are above the law according to you. Mr. Flores, were you a racist police officer? Did you only ticket non Latinos? Shame on you!!

Mariella wrote on Aug 4, 2007 11:34 AM:I am very thankful to the EPD and these checkpoints. I am a Latino and feel we all need to adhere to the laws of this country. Yes, I have been stopped, but so were the cars behind and infront of me that were driven by non-Latinos. How can this be racist. Stop using the race card Mr. Flores. You embarass me and make us Latinos look like racists.

#703 wrote on Aug 4, 2007 11:44 AM:Count me in! Where do I sign?!? Go EPD!!!!!

Anti-racist Minuteman wrote on Aug 4, 2007 11:52 AM:"No matter what alias this (pro-ILLEGAL) 'group' has, (El Gruopo is a GROUP of ONE - Bill Flores) we know who they are/he is," Minuteman said. "They're anti-LEGAL immigration, they're anti-American, and we know exactly how racist they are and how they feel, no matter what they call themselves."

Fred H wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:09 PM:I was stopped by a cop in Ensenada about 10-years ago, who asked for my license. I showed him my valid international drivers license. It was green in color and had a picture of Ulysses S. Grant on it! This checkpoint stuff is a matter of law & order and nothing else! If you go fishing you need a fishing license.

American woman wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:23 PM:I find it unfortunate that Ms. Bennett, with whom I agree 100% regarding the check-points, assures that she isn't racist, nor a member of the Minuteman organization! Apparently, she knows little about the nationwide citizen's group, now generally referred-to as the Minuteman movement. I am a 64 year-old mom and grand mother, a legal, law-abiding, taxpaying citizen and a proud member of the Minuteman Project. We too, are concerned about public safety...simply on a much broader scale than Ms. Bennett and her supporters. I am more than a little sick of references to the Minutemen and women as racists, or for that matter, as anything but American patriots! Btw, Mr. Flores is correct: The checkpoints obviously would affect illegal aliens more than others because they drive without proper licensing and insurance. Also, they are likely to carry bogus id's, matricula cards and Social Security numbers stolen or "borrowed" from unfortunate, usually unaware American citizens. This is what the arguments always come to: Of course there will be a spotlight on Hispanics! The greatest percentage of illegal aliens in Southern California are from MEXICO! It's an irrefutable fact, so stop whining about it! Perhaps if the legal Hispanics/Latinos/Mexicanos who have bothered to obtain either U.S. citizenship or legal documentation to live and work in America would better police the illegal alien invasion of their neighborhoods, the problenm would be considerably reduced. Here's how I see it: If my cousin or my neighbor has broken the law, I am obligated to not only advise the individual that I do not accept his/her behavior, but I also MUST report the offending party to law enforcement. This is a non-partisan approach to keeping the peace and observing the U.S. Rule of Law. There's a reason for it, and when applied evenly and without bias, it works beautifully.

LUVUS wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:27 PM:JoeMorgan, 8/5, 5:39 am.....you can't be serious. You just need more sleep, Joe! Come back when your brain is functioning.

Why have laws? wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:32 PM:Mr. Flores, how could you have been a law enforcement officer if you feel certain laws should not pertain to a group of people because of their skin color or their law breaking status? Our laws are supposed to apply to all! It might be interesting to go back and look at your arrest records.

Jorge wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:40 PM:To "Big Problem," an apt handle for a lawyer...if you are one: You are a shining example of the problem we have in this country. You just can't stand to see steps taken to keep us as safe and protected as possible. You give yourself away, Jose, when you make your ignorant comment about lawsuit settlements! I'd bet you are as phoney as El Grupo.

Confused wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:44 PM:Let me see if I have this right. If you are against illegal immigration you are a racist. If you are against people driving without insurance or driver's licenses you are a racist. If you are against hords of transient men standing on corners near schools etc. or surrounding your car at a home improvement stores you are a racist. If you don't want men living illegally in the bushes near schools, parks, etc you are a racist. Amazing!Your racist excuse Mr. Flores just doesn't fly.

anotherview2 wrote on Aug 4, 2007 12:49 PM:Good citizens obey the law, and expect others to do the same. Illegal aliens have no right to live and work in America. The state requires an individual who operates a motor vehicle on the road to have a valid driver license and auto insurance. The state and its agencies enforce the law, including the vehicle code, to ensure compliance and public safety. The term “public safety” encompasses all the individuals alive within the exterior boundaries of the state, citizen or not. Mr. Flores fails to address how the basic protection of life inherent in the concept of public safety excludes illegal aliens. After all, under the U. S. Constitution, even illegal aliens enjoy the basic protections of the law. Further, Mr. Flores may rationalize by implication that illegal aliens drive out of necessity without proper credentials to do so, yet he may acknowledge that this unlawful behavior endangers fellow illegal aliens as well. Lawbreaking does not really serve the interests of anybody, when taken in the context of the bigger picture. Mouthpieces like Mr. Flores speak for a narrow interest, not the public interest in promoting the wider public safety.

get real! wrote on Aug 4, 2007 1:23 PM:Illegal aliens, you don't have to be in this terrible Country. Go back to your own Country and drive without licenses or insurance. That's not what we do here.

GFN wrote on Aug 4, 2007 1:24 PM:8:21 am post is the summary of many good points today. I'm not backing down to the racist card...enforce the laws. If lots of "Browns" get caught, then, El Groupo, teach them to comply with the laws of the land that the "Whites" have to obey also.

J.W. wrote on Aug 4, 2007 1:34 PM:To the illegal alien supporters. What don't you get about "it's the law." What don't you get about "illegal is illegal." What don't you get about the American Citizen doesn't want illegal, non insured, drunk drivers on our roads?

Rod wrote on Aug 4, 2007 1:35 PM:Once again the Latino community feels they are not required to live by American laws. They laugh in the face of American citizens and defy the American people to enforce the laws of our country upon them. And yet they wonder why they do not get the respect they want from Americans. They prefer to cry out that racism is the problem.

Mad wrote on Aug 4, 2007 2:46 PM:Hey Flores, illegals have no rights. Why do you waste your time and stick up for people who couldn't make it in Mexico? How about spending your time on cancer research projects, something worthwhile. Apparently, you place NO value on road safety.

Big Richard. wrote on Aug 4, 2007 2:50 PM:You know this whole south of the border mentality makes me ill. They think they can bargain and negotiate around our laws like trying to purchase a blanket in tijuana.

Tricia wrote on Aug 4, 2007 2:56 PM:OK...so are these rules below RACIST?? * There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools. * No special ballots for elections. * All government business will be conducted in our language. * Foreigners will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here. * Foreigners will NEVER be able to hold political office. * Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. * No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. * Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage. * If foreigners do come and want to buy land that will be okay. BUT options will be restricted. * You are not allowed waterfront property. That is reserved for citizens naturally born into this country. * Foreigners may not protest; no demonstrations, no waving a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. If you do you will be sent home. * If you do come to this country illegally, you will be hunted down and sent straight to jail. THESE ARE THE LAWS OF MEXICO. NOW WHO IS RACIST? GOD BLESS OUR GREAT COUNTRY. NOW FOLLOW OUR LAWS!!!

Christina wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:22 PM:What is wrong with you people? Why is it up to these citizens to sign their signatures for check points? This is not a major law. I lost my drivers license a few years ago when my car broke down and I had to pay alot of money to get it fixed. I was unable to pay for the registration tags at the time. I am a single mother! I am law abiding and a very hard worker! If they had this check point at that time, I would of lost my car, been issued a huge ticket. How would I have got to work or taken my children to school? Thank God they didn't have those check points and I was able to save for the money! God forbid what will happen to the average American working class who does not have the funds to pay everything! I think Ms Patricia Bennett should give loans to every working mother who falls trap to this.

Bill Flores is the man!!! wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:39 PM:When I stop to think that Bill Flores was the undersheriff in San Diego County it makes me respect him even more for exposing the rascism within the department. It takes a big man to do that! I appreciate everything you do Mr. Flores and I hope you continue. Every person who has commented on this forum knows full well the racial profiling that goes on with law enforcement and minorities. Unfortunately right now the Latinos are getting it full barrel and in Vista I mean that literally! Anyway all of you who have commented on this forum are living in La La Land, you know denial is really not a river in Egypt. We just need to face that fact that the Latinos are the targets, we don't like Latinos, so we are glad about it. The truth will set you free.

I agree with Christina wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:41 PM:We all fall into financial difficulties some time. But for the grace of God there go I.

TO CHRISTINA wrote on Aug 4, 2007 3:52 PM:What are you talking about? You are law abiding, except for the fact that you didn't have a drivers license, car insurance and/or registration. That's like saying "I'm law abiding, except for the fact that I'm in this country illegally." If you don't have "the funds to pay for everything" (by this I assume Christina means drivers license, registration, insurance - silly little things like that) then you shouldn't be driving. Thank God you weren't in an accident and caused a lot of damage to someone else's car, or worse yet, injured them. You couldn't have afforded that either! This is a good example for Mr. Flores - these checkpoints would get law breakers like Christina off the road as well. Not just Latinos. Thanks Christina, you made a good point - in favor of checkpoints. Keep it up EPD!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Aug 4, 2007 4:04 PM:Poor, poor Christina. She claims she lost her drivers license because her car broke down? Hmm, I don't get the correlation. If you are a citizen, you should be entitled to obtain a license provided you pass the tests given by CA DMV. As for your car, if it broke down while you had a valid drivers license the only thing you would have "lost" would be some money to get it out of the storage lot. As for being a poor working person, there is public transportation. I have a very good income and use public transportation so you should too if you can't afford a license, registration, insurance, and up-keep on your automobile. You aren't entitled to special treatment because you are "working poor."

No tags, Christian? Then we can assume no insurance? wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:00 PM:Every California that obeys the law and carrys insurance IS giving people like Christina a LOAN. We all have to pay more because others disobey the law and drive without the necessary coverage.

What the heck? Driver checkpoints have been going on for years! wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:22 PM:"...the checkpoints disproportionately affect poor and Latino drivers because they sometimes can't afford to maintain their vehicles or because illegal immigrants, many of whom are Latino, aren't allowed to have driver's licenses under California law..."------And Mr. Flores' point would be??---Are the Latinos who are too poor to maintain a vehicle supposed to get a free pass just because they are poor & Latino? Or are they supposed to be issued a license as a reward for being in our country illegally?----As a former law enforcement person, Mr. Flores, did you miss the class where people are not allowed to drive in California without a valid driver's license? Weren't you supposed to cite folks for this? Methinks Mr. Flores is the one who might be "racial profiling" here, lol!

To Christina please accept my apology wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:39 PM:I am sure that when you posted your comment and shared your story you never expected the haters to attack you. I know exactly what you were talking about and I understand what you went through. Sorry about all the hate.

Laws do not apply to everybody wrote on Aug 4, 2007 5:49 PM:If you are Latino or an illegal alien you can pick and choose which laws you might want to obey. Throw away the California laws. Throw away the laws of the whole country.

Christina wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:05 PM:To Greg and all haters: I did have a valid License and insurance. My purse was snatched and my license stolen with it. My car had broken down in Escondido and I had it towed to Vista, I took out my registration and set it on my kitchen table. Early in the morning I was able to get the car started and take my son to work at Costco, on the way back it broke down by the Vista sheriff station and an officer cited me for no registration instead of helping me. It was an easy fix it, all I had to do was bring a copy of license & registration however I was working two jobs and It is my fault that I did not take care of it, meanwhile I went to renew my tags and my car did not pass smog inspection so I had run up $4000 in car expenses, and that is how it spiraled down hill. I am a proud American citizen, and can trace my Ancestors back to England so put that back in your bucket. I am of Parker/Dickerson bloodline.

RG wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:08 PM:I’m sure the comments to this article are being monitored by both Patricia Bennett and Bill Flores. Ms Bennett should be encouraged to see the vast percentage support her attempt to make our streets safer through continued checkpoints. And we know it has nothing to do with race, and everything to do with law and safety. The few blogs attempting to discredit her use the tired old race and poor me excuses. The ranting of Mr Flores only serves to show that his head is so deeply planted in the sand he will never see the difference between right and wrong, legal and illegal, safe and unsafe. He has lost any credibility and we can only hope he disappears quietly from the scene. Perhaps he should go to Mexico where he can work towards making Mexico more like America rather than trying to make America more like Mexico.

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 4, 2007 7:32 PM:I find it laughable how these minutemen/woman are the same tired group of people with different names so they can get some media coverage. Seriously, we know you are all the same group of people with a new group name every couple months. You are not the majority in our community and those signatures you acquired are most likely from your "members" who live outside of Escondido. Bill Flores is not a racist, on the contrary he is Anti-racist. Look it up! Go Bill and the other activists. We know our community because we live here and these checkpoints gotta go. Let's get a driver's license bill passed already!

New Task Force Busting Illegals, Beautiful. wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:21 PM:If we go after Illegals working in the state, especially construction, they will bust thousands a day, I know, I'm a contractor who has seen first hand how many illegals are stealing jobs from real American contractors, its sick. Illegals pose as having a construction company, no contractor license and all illegal workers; they underbid real contractors just to get a job. The homeowners get the worst of it when they discover that all there concrete is cracking, there plants are dead and all the other crappy work illegals do, because there not qualified for that kind of job, its crazy. All those illegals driving trucks you see with landscape signs on them, %95 don't have a contractor’s license # on them, its law to have it posted. You see maintenance trucks with lawnmowers and weed whackers on them, %95 are illegals who are not paying taxes or reporting there income because there getting cash, what a life. We need a task force just targeting hot zones, new housing projects, areas where illegals are likely to be employed, fine the owners with huge fines for hiring illegals and deport the criminals from this country for good; this country would be a better place. Americans live here, not illegal criminals who just happen to be mostly from Mexico. Illegal is defines as something criminal or against the law. Let’s get cracking on these unwanted criminals. God Bless America.

Hadenuff in Escondido wrote on Aug 4, 2007 8:39 PM:No comment on this Bill Flores.

GEE WIZ wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:21 PM:Bill Flores says that the checkpoints disproportionately effect poor and Latino drivers because…illegal immigrants,…aren’t allowed to have driver’s licenses under California law. So why should THEIR problem become OUR problem Mr. Flores? I have a driver’s license, I pay a lot of money for insurance, I obey the law, and I end up paying for their mistakes too. do you think most of us pay this and that for fun? No, as a result of many illegal aliens driving without a license and without insurance not only jeopardize our safety but WE PAY for their mistakes. So who’s fault is this?

Ralph wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:42 PM:I'd be all for it if the majority of local traffic accidents were caused by 'illegal immigrants'. They arn't. Ms. Bennett's stated premise for her activities is 'public safety'. But since her activities are mainly anti Latino, you can see her real agenda is the same as the minutemen - simple bigotry.

To RG wrote on Aug 4, 2007 9:53 PM:Really now? " I’m sure the comments to this article are being monitored by both Patricia Bennett and Bill Flores. Ms Bennett should be encouraged to see the vast percentage support her attempt to make our streets safer through continued checkpoints." That seems like a logical conclusion however, that is a flawed theory because I believe that most of these people who are commenting are one in same. I'll bet really there are probably only two or three different people writing all these comments. So before you go around thinking you won some kind of contest because you did not! Who gives a damn about the comments on this blog. I'll bet you yourself RG wrote most of them! We will see what the courts say about the Constitutionality of impounding these cars after all there has been a class action lawsuit filed. That will be the real test of what is legal and illegal not some contest on a newspapers blog!

Bring on the Petitions wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:09 PM:Would Ms Bennett please respond here as to where these petitions are available to sign? I sincerely think that the EPD deserves to see the actual number of law abiding citizens who are in favor of these checkpoints.

sandit wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:34 PM:Boo hoo, Mr. Flores! Do you think if poor white driver's that can't afford to maintain (or insure) their vehicles and are here illegally and are not allowed driver's licenses under Ca. law would get a free pass at the checkpoints?? Would my getting busted at a checkpoint, as a white woman, sour realtions with the white community? Don't make me laugh! Quit whining! We had enough of the "race card" back when OJ was on trial! Law is law. As a victim of hit and run, I have ZERO sympathy!!

American Mike wrote on Aug 4, 2007 10:53 PM: "I am of Parker/Dickerson bloodline. " Wow, now there is a "racist" statement if I ever heard one. "To Christina please accept my apology" Hate? No, not hate. It's just that not everyone in the United States is a bleeding liberal.

Edgar wrote on Aug 5, 2007 12:55 PM:In Bill Flores' world, Tax Law would be racist because the mayority of taxes are paid for by white people. I don't see anyone calling that law racist. Mr. Flores you have lost all credibility.

Laws are color-blind wrote on Aug 8, 2007 11:25 AM:Laws are laws. They don't take into account different languages spoken, different skin color or someone's down and out circumstance. They are there for all to abide by and make life safer for all of us. My 16 1/2 year old daughter is just going to take her driver's test and I feel better knowing that these checkpoints are occurring. I drove past one in San Marcos some months back that had been correctly noticed in the paper that morning. Would love these to happen more frequently in San Marcos. Way to go, Escondido.

True American wrote on Aug 8, 2007 8:29 PM:I'm against checkpoints, after we are done cleaning up we can stop them. Until then, dengue fever and all the hit and runs require some type of local action. We need to replace Bush with an illegal alien, he's one of the Lazy American's that he keeps talking about that won't do the job. He won't enforce the immigration laws, he should be replaced by someone who will do the job that "Americans" won't do. I get tired of the bum calling me lazy, I do my own yardwork and have worked in fields and dug many, many more ditches than he ever will think about doing.

Esquivel wrote on Jan 27, 2008 3:05 PM:If having a Driver's License is a matter of safety, why are we denying undocumented immigrants the opportunity to possess a Driver's License?

Aren't we contradicting ourselves in this specific issue?

They are driving without a license, if I want to feel safer on the road, I would rather drive next to an undocumented allien with a lisence than to one without one.

Now, if we want to use check points to get rid of of illegal alliens, why don't we just call it what it is, instead of, hypocrithically, stating that "it is a matter of safety"

Linda wrote on Jan 27, 2008 4:49 PM:You see how it goes 1) illegal aliens are here illegally 2) They drive here illegally 3) they don't carry insurance, they have accidents and flee the scene. It's a snowball effect. One illegal act is not a pathway to get other illegal acts past. They need to follow our laws, first one being DO NOT COME HERE ILLEGALLY. If you obey the laws you don't have these problems. I am sick and tired of getting into near hits and they have no idea of what's even going on. NO to giving illegals drivers licenses.