Undocumented Drivers wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:11 AM:are quite the epidemic in Escondido!
Get these people off the roads before they kill more innocents. Keep up the great work Esconido PD and city council! How many of the 21 caught driving without a license are in the country illegally? Sure would like to know. Americans know better, but they should all be punished regardless! You drive illegally, you should pay a heavy price.

Clara wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:26 AM:Bravo to the Escondido Police Dept. for
making Escondido a safe place to live.
More and frequent of the checkpoints requested.

Now in each of wrote on Jul 22, 2008 6:07 AM:these cases of drivers without licenses and their cars were not towed, it is presumed that they had a passenger who was legal to drive and hopefully the car insurance would cover that "passenger" driver. The question here comes into play,if some of these drivers can't speak english how does our police officers come to the conculsion that these drivers can read our MUY important road signs?

Amazing wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:18 AM:Every time they run one of these checkpoints, 10-20 people without licenses are caught. That must mean that throughout the city, there are many more. And of course if they have no license, they also have no insurance.

The checkpoints must continue, they stop everybody who drives through, and therefore, could not be racist or targeting any specific ethnicity!

Tony C. wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:22 AM:I feel that one fact often gets overlooked in this day in age. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Great work E-P.D.! Thanks for doing your part in trying to keeps the streets free of illegal drivers.

At this rate wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:30 AM:if they could only have random, daily checkpoints, Esco would be rid of illegal (for ANY reason) drivers. The impounded car fees will pay for the checkpoints AND get dangerous drivers off the road...sounds like a wonderful WIN-WIN situation to me. God Bless, EPD!!!!

suzy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:47 AM:Bravo & thanks to Escondido P.D.
We need Sheriffs to do same in VISTA & other communities....

northcounty wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:50 AM:hay surrounding communities, aren't you embarrassed? If Escondido is getting these same results time and again, isn't it reasonable that you have the same problem, and by ignoring it the problem only gets worse. You ignoring the safety of your communities. Your not doing your job.

Allen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:40 AM:Actually, a little research at the Vista law library will demonstrate that, contrary to what you were taught in school, driving is a RIGHT. Moreover, freedom from unwarranted stops is a RIGHT. That these are being constantly violated is just more evidence of the corruption of government-employed judges. They're all lawyers and even the American Bar Association admits lawyers are "the least trusted profession in America".
There are certainly problem drivers and criminals on the road. Neither justifies violating the supreme law of the land. Governments are instituted to UPHOLD the law.

To Allen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:05 AM:I will gladly give up my rights of freedom from unwarranted stops in order to keep the roads safe.

more wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:14 AM:checkpoints are needed

To Allen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:17 AM:Since you seem to have done the research already, can you cite your references that demonstrate that driving is a right? I've read the US Constitution many times and have never seen the "right to drive" amendment.

To allen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:57 AM:You might want to go to law school instead of "the Vista Law Library" for your law degree. The case law you are trying to utilize for your argument is obviously wrong, outdated, or you are misapplying it. Please give the case/statuatory law you are using for your flawed aregument if you are going to make false statements.

Victim wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:17 AM:I agree with Suzy. Vista really needs to step up!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:21 AM:Kudos to EPD, keep up the great work!

It's pretty scary that drunks driving around any time of the day, and that there are unlicensed (and presumably uninsured) drivers on the road putting us all in danger, which further supports the need to conduct these checkpoints. The critics want to blame 'police-state' big-brother tactics, and the erosion of our liberties on our government. The blame really lies on those who commit the crimes necessitating these drastic enforcement measures.

According to the article, 1072 cars were stopped between both checkpoint time periods. Out of those 35 were sent to a secondary stop after not having a license. NCT does not explain very well what happened to these "unlicensed" drivers. Were they arrested, or even ticketed? Did they lack insurance?

Nonetheless, there has been concern by people like Bill Flores, and others in the Latino community that these checkpoints are really set up to apprehend illegal aliens. NCT fails to report if any illegal aliens were apprehended and/or subsequently deported. Considering Escondido's large illegal alien population, hopefully this was a secondary benefit to the checkpoint.

State of Emergency wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:42 AM:Bravo to the Escondido City Council for refusing to be blackmailed by activists like Olga Diaz, Klaudia Smith and Enrique Morones. Public safety has been given a new lease on life. Keep those checkpoints going, and thank the courageous police department of Escondido for getting unlicensed, unregistered drivers, and unsafe cars off the city streets

We need more wrote on Jul 22, 2008 1:01 PM:...of these checkpoints run on a daily basis. Way to go EPD! Allen, I don't know what "law" book your're reading but common sense dictates that driving is by no means a right. If that were the case no one could have their licence revoked for DUI, because it would violate their "rights"... If you break the law (driving under the influence, entering our country illegally, ect, ect) you do not get the PRIVLEDGE to operate a motor vehicle.

To Bill Flores wrote on Jul 22, 2008 3:13 PM:Come on Bill we need your input. Your article was well written but a disgrace to OUR COMMUNITY.

To To Allen wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:18 PM:Maybe there's two law libraries in Vista... The County Law Library, and the Vista Law Library, which consists of two Libertarian books somebody left in the back corner of a local coffee shop.

Al wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:39 PM:Love it! Do these every single week please EPD.

Gary wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:27 PM:Thanks Escondido PD for enforcing the law. People without licenses and/or insurance need to be taken off the road and kept off until they learn to obey the same laws as the rest of us. If they don't like it, they can go home.

Way to go Escondido PD wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:04 PM:If the Escondido PD was able to detrain so many unlicensed drivers between the hours of 8:00am and 11:00am can you imagine what they could accomplished between the hours of 3:00pm and 7:00pm? I support the efforts of the Escondido PD for trying to maintain a safe community for my children and me; I wish the city council would funnel more funding for these programs especially during Friday and Saturday nights. As for GREGG’S comments, I do not believe the checkpoint has anything to do with illegal aliens, the police are trying to maintain a safe community, please leave those comment to the appropriate blogs.

we need more wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:07 PM:Keep up the great job EPD.. The citizen's of Escondido appreciate it. Please do it more often. Make our streets safer.............

Jim wrote on Jul 23, 2008 6:05 AM:First - to Allen: What? Are you nuts.

Second - To Greg in O'side: Yes, drunks are scary. I got a DUI back in '89 (hardley drink anymore and sure do not drink and drive PERIOD), anyway, I was at class (for the DUI) and this guy shows up late and just wasted; it was 9:30 in the morning. Drunks don't keep time just drinks.

Third - If I am driving to the store and only grab my money not my CDL and I get stopped but I can prove (I have my CDL memorized) that I do have a current CDL, just not with me. Would I get my car towed, get a fix it (proof of CDL) ticket or both?

Johny On The Spot wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:36 AM:I agree with Allen... those who so readily give up their hard earned rights that are guaranteed by the US constitution, probably do not deserve them.
Just like searching everyone who gets on a plane has not made us any safer, constantly searching people or stopping people every time they turn around WILL NOT make us safer.
It might make some feeble minded folk, FEEL safer because they think that the problem is being solved by randomly violating people's rights.... but time and again throughout history it has been shown that once you give away your rights.... it is not so easy to take them back.

Dave in Escondido wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:52 AM:"if some of these drivers can't speak english how does our police officers come to the conculsion that these drivers can read our MUY important road signs?"

Lots of American tourists drive in countries where they can't read the signs, and a fair number of tourists to America do the same. It's not as difficult as you might think. Any non-English speaker who has been driving here for more than a couple of days has probably learned what most of the signs mean. That's been my experience in the foreign countries I've visited.

Brad wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:54 AM:It's a good thing that being an illegal driver isn't a federal problem too!!

I am just wondering wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:55 AM:what rights have been violated? As a taxpayer I support these stops, and it is only because of ACLU and all the "pains" of society, that officer's can not ask about nationality.....please!!! If they are here illegally that is a crime folks and that consitute arrest. I guess all these cry babies, wouldnt be crying if the car the police stop and detained was someone that they had a collision with. these people need to stop being part of the problem

CR wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:58 AM:Allen is living on his own planet--there is no right to drive without a license, and these stops are certainly warranted as they keep catching all these drivers who don't give a rip about the laws, just like Allen.
GREAT JOB EPD! We need these stops to be done daily to make Escondido safer. Just in the last few months there have been fatal accidents on normal city streets involving unlicensed drivers, and yes, they are illegals, too--by the way.

Esco Native wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:59 AM:To those of you that think drive is a right, maybe that is true but it should not be abused by drunk drivers and driver with out INS. Those rights are followed by laws that protect people. Thank you EPD for doing a great job lately I am beginning to feel safer in my naborhood, no more gang wistles when I'm out side with my son and I don't mind waiting for check points if it will keep drunks and uninsured driver off the street. Thank you!!!

Dave in Escondido wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:54 AM:"it is only because of ACLU and all the "pains" of society, that officer's can not ask about nationality....."

It's easy to forget, but obvious if you stop to think about it, but the ACLU has no power to legislate, execute laws, or judge the constitutionality of laws. It can only do things that any non-governmental organization can do. For example, it can bring suit
in court and argue its case. If it wins, either the law was already on its side and is now being enforced as a result of the suit, or the case was decided incorrectly by the judge.

Isn't your complaint really with either legislators or judges, or, ultimately, voters who elect them?

CrimeHater wrote on Jul 24, 2008 5:02 AM:Great work once again, EPD!
Now if we can just get other communities to stand up to all the whining liberal twits who spew "My Rights" garbage as if the checkpoints conceal some sinister hidden agenda . . .

George wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:17 AM:You all have mush for brains. Allen & Johnny are correct in what they say. Look, it's people like you that will wonder when the brown boot is on the back of YOUR neck what the devil happened to America and your God given rights. Turn off the boob tube, put down that 6-pack and learn what happened to your Country. It's not up to Allen, Johnny or me to educate you. Here's a good start...IF YOU HAVE THE GUTS...
purchase this and start learning the TRUTH.

Am I The Only American Who Thinks This Way? by Jim ******.

Mary wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:29 PM:The point of the checkpoints is to remove the people who are not responsible and are in the influence of drugs and alcohol while they drive, not about inocent people who unfortunally they are illegal here THINK!!!! Not all people who do not have a license are illegal, you can get youre licence suspended by commiting crimes, you should know!!!

George wrote on Jul 26, 2008 12:48 PM:I'll keep it real simple...if your not engaged in commerce, there is no requirement to have a license to travel the road freely.

bryan wrote on Jul 28, 2008 9:51 PM:Great! Great! Great! All the drivers caught without a license dont carry insurance either. These people create a very dangerous situation for the city. ...

Lorie wrote on Jul 29, 2008 12:36 PM:I think that what Allen is referring to is the 4th amendment. Which is the illegal search and seizure amendment. I agree that the checkpoints are a good thing to do but because it can clog up traffic and cause people to be late to work or school or other activities that require being on time it can be annoying.

George wrote on Jul 30, 2008 1:23 PM:Bryan, I'll bet you still think the federal reserve is part of the u.s. government and believe the governments story on 911.