Here we go again wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:40 PM:Flores has no credibility after his stance against deporting criminal illegal aliens. He has turned this city into a third world city. I suggest he try this in La Costa his former city.

Yes Flores wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:50 PM:If these people were were caught driving without a license, other than at a check point,you would call it racial profiling. It's a great way to catch these people without be calling a racist. huh

WhoWhat wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:51 PM:Its sad that Eddie is taking a legal issue and trying to make a moral "poor poor" story out of it. If you are not licensed and more importantly not insured, you should have your car impounded. End of story.

accountability wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:25 PM:"Rather, it's the way police are enforcing the law," seizing cars at checkpoints.
and guess what, those unlicensed drivers most likely aren't insured either. Last I saw, my insurance continues to go up for uninsured drivers. I don't care how they do it or if they make money off it, get them off the roads.Think the city should invest in their own towing service if it's this profitable, and double the check points would be my push. hope some of those funds work their ways back to the people for better schools and city systems

januaryM wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:50 PM:this article states,
For illegal immigrants, getting caught driving without a license often means losing their vehicles.
====================================
question:
For ANYONE here LEGALLY ,caught driving without a license often means losing their vehicles too.Correct? So whats the problem? OBEY THE LAWS.
If you are LEGAL all the way around YOU have NOTHING to fear.
Very simple grasshopper.

Payback wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:52 PM:The people driving without licenses and insurance are costing the city of Escondido and its citizens millions of dollars. I see no problem getting some of this money back by impounding the cars of these lawbreakers.

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:40 PM:I understand on holidays drunk driving occurs at higher rates, but the continuos checkpoints from the EPD are racist in nature. They target and suspect a specific sector of our community - the undocumented person who is now allowed to get a driver's license anymore. Some of you agree just because this is legal, but is it just? I don't believe so. These checkpoints are taking away our civil liberties and making it easier for police to target and suspect without just cause.

White Escondido Resident wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:42 PM:This is really all about the very strict enforcement of the law. If we don't want the law to be enforced, then it should be taken off the books. Otherwise, strict enforcement must be considered O.K., as long as it is done evenly and fairly. In this case, it clearly is being done so.

I can testify to this. In January, I was returning home driving my vintage 1986 320i, which I had just finished having restored to its new condition. I was stopped at one of EPD's checkpoints and found out my license was expired (I had no clue). The tears flowed as my car left on the tow rig, and flowed harder when I paid the bills (final costs, $913).

Pleasant: No! Necessary: Doubtful!! Fairly Applied: Yes!!!

USMCGUN wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:44 PM:I worked for Allied Gardens for years, I will tell you thatyes it is expensive to have your car towed by the Police, I will also tell that after working hundreds of acidents and dozens of fatals...this is a good program....the issue is that it is illegal and unsafe to drive wthout a license...flores is making it racial....poor Illegals, get over it being a former cop what does he not understand about the word illegal? I pay taxes, I have a license...so should everyone else! Good for EPD and Good for the Tow companies!

Escondido Resident wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:02 PM:Poor or not isn't the question.

Latino or not isn't the question either.

The only concern here is legal versus illeagal. If not legal.....stay off my roads. Yes, I do pay for them in my taxes and abide by the laws of the land.

For those of you complaining on this...run for office...change the laws...and let "illegal" motoring become legal.

Otherwise, legal Americans don't want to pay for illegal acidents and deaths anymore.

Keep up the good work EPD!!!!

Gil wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:19 PM:We have degenerated so much as a society, that it is illegal to enforce the law. Sorry if this law hurts your little precious feelings, but a law is a law. I don’t want to hear about the right to privacy, your right to privacy goes out the window when you decide to operate a deadly weapon without a license.

Hank wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:27 PM:To: EscoWatchDog

How are they racist? Please stop spewing your racist remarks. Why are you implying that all Latinos are illegal? You sound like the racist!!!
These checkpoints are only targeting people who are driving without a license.

Same ol Story wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:30 PM:Yet another attempt by the NC Times to spin illegal activity into some racial issue. So you want us to believe the police are enforcing the law to somehow make money? Maybe they are creating a deterrence for those who might otherwise choose to break the law. I can't even believe this is an issue. Bill Flores, thanks for your help in making our community a better place.

Questions wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:39 PM:We all agree that driving without a license is illegal.

Do we also agree that throughout SD County there is an illegal immigration problem?

I do not believe that Escondido's illegal immigration problem is any worse than Oceanside or Vista or San Marcos or OB or Chula Vista or El Centro (these cities tend to be middle income communities vs. high income). And I live here.

The nonsense talk about 'everywhere you go in Escondido there are bums and homeless and druggies and gang bangers' is completely exaggerated! I know because I live here and I shop in the city. And I go to the library on E.Valley and I go to home depot on E. Valley - I do not witness mass amounts of illegals swarming the streets. Those accounts are false! I know - because I live here!!

So, if all cities in SD County have a problem with illegal immigrants - then why oh why does Escondido have twice and three and four times as many checkpoints?

I believe it is because of the city council's agenda - they think they can run all the illegals out of town. An impossible task - just ask the Feds.

Also, I think it is because the city has discovered this is a revenue generating dream! Money & More Money!

The problem is: the city has gone overboard with their enforcement. Definately, laws need to be enforced - but should it be at the expense of the entire city?

Do you think businesses are motivated to set up shop in Escondido knowing that their employees could be delayed by a checkpoint?

Do you think that families are motivated to move to Escondido knowing that the city is convinced that Escondido is inundated with criminals?

Do you really think these checkpoints are a "plus"?

I don't.

Concerned_Citizen wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:50 PM:I applaud Councilwoman Marie Waldron, Police Chief Jim Maher and the incredible men and women of the EPD who are making a difference by getting these unlicensed drivers off the road. This is not a race issue. It is for the safety of us citizens and our families. Bravo!

Jimmy wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:58 PM:More cities should be "determined as Escondido to catch drivers catch drivers without licenses." Our city should be a role model for other cities to rid their own streets of these poor drivers who fail to obey the law then suffer "financial hardships" when caught driving without a license. If these low income drivers cannot afford to get their car out of an impound yard maybe they should ride with a law abiding licensed insurance carrying driver, walk, ride a bike, board a bus, or take take a cab to their destinations. When the Escondido Police Department conducts a random checkpoint and the majority of drivers caught driving without a license or insurance do in fact fall into categories such as senior citizens, white, Latino, or any other demographic group, then a trend is shown. If a certain group appears to be singled out for a "minor offense" (driving without a license) as retired assistant Sheriff Bill Flores states, then these unlicensed drivers should take a behind the wheel driver test, receive a license, and then the need for a newspaper article illuminating the transgressions of those who choose to ignore the law will not be necessary.

Duh wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:03 PM:And the problem with taking vehicles from these lawbreakers is ...?

Something stinks wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:10 PM:It's money plain and simple, if this lawsuit uncovers shady deals with the towing companies maybe even kickbacks someone should go to jail

Diane wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:17 PM:Police...good work. Keep it up. Send a message to these FREE LOADERS. You drive here you better obey the laws like all of us. Maybe this will get all these JUNKERS off the road!

Jack wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:39 PM:THANK YOU Escondido PD. Keep up the good work. Maybe you should run these check points more often. NO license - NO drive. What is so hard to understand about that?

CarlsbadRes wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:51 PM:Good, if a driver can't afford insurance and have a license then they shouldnt be driving there are too many hit and runs around here

Citizen wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:01 PM:Can anyone tell me why this Bill Flores and Olga Diaz are all about people being here illegally. If they are a citizen of the USA, why do they want people to break our laws?

bryan wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:08 PM:I dont care how much this newspaper tries to destroy the city i live in. Every week NCT prints negative stories about escondido. Almost all of the stories are defending illegal activities. What is so hard to understand that escondido has one of the highest rates of hit and run accidents and unlicensed drivers in the state. Since these checkpoints have started hit and runs are down. Again NCT wont write a story about the facts or about the fact that over 90% of escondidos legal residences approve of these checkpoints. But NCT will publish quotes only from the open boarder crowd and anti-american groups. Enough is enough.

Local wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:15 PM:Didn't you just print an almost identical article a few weeks ago? What's changed?

Sam wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:27 PM:OK this is great and all but what is the city going to do with it spend it on wasteful project's? The next check point should be done on Via Rancho Parkway....we should be fair because driving drunk or without license,insurance is not a poor thing.

concerned wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:30 PM:Once again the police using there heavy hands. No people should drive illegal nor should the insurance companies rape us with there premiums. Check lanes should be illegal, they infringe my my free rights. only in cali. one more way government will get you!

Bobby wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:26 AM:Yeah, here we go again. "they are making money off the backs of poor people." Hey, I'm not rich, and have gotten expensive tickets for the most minor violations. Yet no newspaper has ever written about my financial condition and whether I or other Americans can afford certain tickets. Agains, in story after story, newspapers across this nation demonstrate their utter lack of concern for the American citizenry, but on the other hand their focused and total concern for foreign nationals who are here without permission. What gives?

JackBone wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:07 AM:I also noticed that this is a story very similar to a recent story, but it's still great!! Now if the cops would go after bicyclists breaking the law, and drivers with apparently broken turn signals, then the city would be very rich indeed!

Christine wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:31 AM:This is the most racist and biased article I've ever seen. Time to cancel my NCT subscription!

jose wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:48 AM:Driving a car is a basic human right- no matter who you are.Why criminalize a basic human right?

To Eddie wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:09 AM:Come on Eddie don't run this article everytime Flores wants to get his name in the paper.

Bogie wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:20 AM:Questions @ 8:39 PM:

"Do you really think these checkpoints are a "plus"?"

Absolutely, positively, unequivicably, 100%, without a doubt YES

Look it up in your Funk and Wagonell

susan wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:43 AM:If you don't have a license, take the bus! Problem solved! Anyone driving without a license deserves to have their car towed and many don't have licenses for reasons other than being illegally in the country. The State can take it away for failure to pay fines, not provide insurance, repeated drunk driving and other such violations.
I am SO SICK and tired of hearing the race card played again and again. The laws apply to everyone!

P wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:00 AM:I'd like to read a story about the good things the city is doing with the money that is collected.

no licenseinsurance.. wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:44 AM:well FINE...that's what the BUS is for. Get a bike or walk. *The amount of hit and runs keeps increasing. That's because the driver is without a license/insurance!!

lucki wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:55 AM:Thank you EPD!
You are targeting the people who shouldn't be on the road (no matter their race or socio-economic status) and that is what matters.
If you are breaking the law, you deserve the consequences.

Society Degraded All Right wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:14 AM:Gil has it right when he says our society has degraded. But what he doesn't seem to see as what is becoming the most obvious way this has manifest itself. When law abiding citizens, many waving the American Flag, lower themselves to the point of cheering the use of checkpoints, we're in way more trouble than you think.

I was reading a list the other day of all the things we could should be thankful for, and one of them was the freedom to drive from sea to shining sea without being stopped and asked for our papers. So much for that.

No doubt we have problems with illegal aliens, unlicensed drivers, uninsured drivers, drunk drivers, but acting like fascists isn't the way we fix things in this country. At least it didn't used to be.

Guess What wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:27 AM:Not only do we catch the most unlicensed drivers, I was just reading that Escondido has the highest car theft rate in the county. Nearly twice as many as Oceanside, 10 times more than Poway and more than San Marcos and Vista combined. Nearly half are recovered in town. Another reason we need these checkpoints frequently.

To Jose wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:33 AM:Driving a car is not a basic human right. You have been brainwashed by the same people that think you should be able to live in any country you wish or do anything you want without consequences. How sad and misguided. Just another excuse.

Deja Vu wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:46 AM:I remember a very similar article a few weeks ago by the same reporter quoting the same activists.

Armando wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:03 AM:This is a very biased article. People who obey the law don't have to worry about the law being enforced. If you can't do the time then don't do the crime. Illegal drivers are responsible for millions of dollars in damages and many injuries and deaths. Thank you police department.

Pablo wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:07 AM:"Under state law, vehicles used by unlicensed drivers must be impounded for 30 days" Seems very straightforward to me. I guess if you are a criminal then you would whine and moan when you get caught.

Eddie wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:13 AM:I pay more for uninsured motorist coverage than I do for everything else combined. THIS is the high cost of cheap labor due to unenforced immigration laws. But nody wants to see it that way.

Julie wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:19 AM:Another "one-sided" article from the NCT! How about publishing the cost of running the check points? Enforcing the law is costly and operating check-points are completely LEGAL. How much do these unlicensed (and most likely, uninsured) drivers cost our city? It would be refreshing to see the NCT show some kind of "balance" and report the whole story! Driving is a privilege, not a right.

Johny On The Spot wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:38 AM:If you read the complete article it says that many of the thousands of vehicles that are impounded are in "such poor condition" as to not be worth the average $1200 in impound storage fees.

I think this is great! In this modern day we need to take these poorly operating and often unsafe vehicles off the road. I think that this strategy is succeeding in doing just that.

Flores saying that impounding illegal driver's cars disproportionately affects the poor and should not be allowed is like saying that stupid people (people with low IQs for you PC people) disproportionately get hit by trains and therefore we should ban all trains.

The percentage of illegal drivers in California affect us all in the price of our car insurance rates. I have heard estimates that as many as 30 percent of California drivers do not have insurance or driver's licenses. Maybe that estimate is not true, but I know that the ridiculous insurance rates we all pay for living in Southern California are a direct result of many of these people.

To El Grupo de uno wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:44 AM:Lets face it, Flores is on a mission to destroy our check points. He speaks for himself not El Grupo.

To jose wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:03 AM:How sad you are greatly confused. Driving in this state is a privilege, not a right. Illegal immigrants just need to accept the fact that if they choose to drive here while unlicensed they will lose their car. Its a risk vs. gain question for them. Its the same for me...I know if I drive into Mexico I risk that I might be pulled over and mugged by their police.

How About This wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:04 AM:"Many illegal immigrants buy cheap cars who are worth less than the estimated $1,200 in towing and storage fees."

Assuming this to be true (and I'd love to see how these statistics were gathered), then might it not follow that these vehicles are likely in poor repair? Meaning, they have the potential for being a serious accident waiting to happen. Therefore, removing these vehicles from the roads is a public safety service.

In my old home state of Pennsylvania, they have a vehicle inspection program -- don't pass, no windshield sticker, no windshield sticker, no drive. Man, I can hear the howling if California did that. But how much safer our roadways would be!

Good job PD wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:10 AM:The law is that you need a drivers license, registration, and insurance. This is for everyone for your protection. Probably a third more should be impounded for infractions but have not been caught up with yet. Believe it or not the law applies to Latinos/Mexicans too.

Safety First wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:15 AM:No sympathy here Sifuentes! As you can see by the majority of bloggers, most of us feel that the checkpoints don't unfairly target any one other than unlicensed or uninsured drivers! I personally know people who aren't poor and aren't Latino who have been stopped at these checkpoints and had expired licenses or registrations who had their cars towed. And yes, in these tough economic times it is difficult for anyone to come up with the fees to correct their mistake, but live and learn. Those laws the police are enforcing are intended to keep everyone safe, whether you are a citizen or already broke the law to enter the country illegally. But, if you don't care about the laws governing entry to a country, you don't care about the laws governing driving either!

mikey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:33 AM:wow! the city of escondido really did drive a hard bargain on those contracts...

>>the four towing companies the city contracts with earned a
>>combined $8.3 million in the last three years. The city received $2.5
>>million from the towing contracts and impound processing fees.

so not only are they transparent racists...they are pathetic businessmen as well. the fun part is that the city council members who approved the towing contracts can easily be identified. if i was mexican i would make it my lifes work to register mexicans, have them all register for absentee ballots and have ballot marking parties so that the nazis that think random searches for ANYTHING are turned out.

"your papers please"!

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:42 AM:Silly Hank, no where in my previous post did I even mention "Latino". Why do you misread things? I cannot be racist because I don't use my power to keep other down. That is what the City of Escondido does with their political agenda and misguided policies. They are racist in nature. Look up the definition of racism next time you try to respond.
Also, for those of you who think racism does not exist, go back to school or check out a book (an actual scholarly choice) and read about it. While you are at it, look up White Privilege too, it's not a made up term.

Emily wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:56 AM:The law is the law. It's illegal in the US to drive a vehicle without a license. If someone chooses to go ahead and break the law, there are consequences, it's that simple. We cannot change the laws so that it doesn't appear racist! To say that this is racist, targeting the poor or illegals is ridiculous! Plus, if you're here illegally, you're breaking the laws of my country, and that is also wrong. If you don't like the laws, don't live here. It's very simple. I wish people would stop calling the race card when it suits them. We have laws, abide or not, but there is a consequence. I pay taxes, I pay for insurance, I obey the lawl.... There should be no special allowances for anyone regardless of race, religion, sex, etc. So tired of hearing how the illegals are being hurt. They shouldn't be here if they're broken the law to get here. I don't expect special allowances and no one else should either...

now jobless wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:12 PM:I guess it's easy to sit back and judge people as a whole that don't have their license. I lost mine along with my job for taking a friends mother to her Doctor. She couldn't walk by herself so I parked in the handicap parking spot, brought her into the office, then ran back down to move my car. In that 10 min. time a ticket was on my car and no one around. The courts didn't care if I was called at the last minute to take a handicap person in pain to her Dr's office. Just that I had no sticker for my car. Resulting in a 500.00 dolor ticket I had no way of paying.
My job requires me to drive now and then
so it was drive or loose my job and never have a way to pay for the ticket. I drove, as the buses don't run at the times I was scheduled for work. Resulting in getting caught in a check point. Bottom line-
I lost my car and my job.
My license now has a driving on suspended along with the handicap ticket (with late penalties) Even if I could find a way to get another car I could never afford to pay the fines and penalties on my license. Now what?
BTW- I'm a legal US citizen and white.

GFN wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:16 PM:I thought Bill Flores would have been humiliated into silence by the adverse reaction to his whining a few weeks ago. One more time: This is an American city enforcing American laws on American soil without prejudice!!! If the illegals are driving without licenses, and probably without insurance, and don't want to get caught by a traffic stop, then tell them to leave and go home! Encourage them to do so! Help them to do so! Stop harassing our elected officials for your own self promotion, which it has to be as your argument is specious!

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:44 PM:To Now Jobless,
It's definetely a business. I know a guy at my work here in Escondido who is handicapped and parked in a two hour spot. He still got a ticket even though he was legally parked in a handicapped spot and he is allowed to be there more than two hours. The meter maid (guy) didn't care and gave him the ticket anyway. He told my coworker to submit an appeal and most likely he would not win. The meter maid disobeyed the law. See what we are dealing with? The city is struggling with money and they are milking us for every penny. When we try to fight or appeal these decisions, we still have to deal with the bureacracy and the long process that it takes. No wonder people give up or just remain complicit. It's a uphill battle. I believe we give the government too much control over our lives. We pay the higher price for so-called community safety. It's gotten out of hand.

Escondido Gal wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:20 PM:Yes, it's illegal in the US to drive a vehicle without a license and in CA without insurance. If a person makes the choice to drive without they will suffer the consequences and they deserve whatever that consequence is.

The City of Escondido has plenty of mass transit that can accommodate any person legal or illegal with the means to get around, and no further laws need to be broken but they continue to be broken by those that think they are special in some way.

Simply put - It doesn’t matter if you are White, Black, Latino, Asian or some other race or religious faction.

If you break the law to enter the US illegally you should be punished.
If you break the law to drive without a license and insurance you should be punished.

Those that choose to disregard the law deserve what they get.

To say that this is racist is not only ridiculous but also a vicious rabbit trail to try and make it something that it is not.

If a person doesn’t like the laws of the United States and of CA, and is not willing to comply or assimilate by adopting the rules and laws of their new home then I would urge you to move.
Please go home or to where you feel comfortable and stop trying to infringe you’re warped thinking on our way of life. This is my home and I am more than willing to follow those rules and laws.

Thank you Escondido Police for doing a fine job, keep up the good work.

ILLEGAL ILLEGAL ILLEGAL wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:40 PM:Driving without a license is illegal. But if you are illegal to begin with why would you care? If you are illegal to begin with why would you care about theft, assault, rape, or even murder. The mentality of the illegal is grounded in the life as an illegal. The question really is why would your society, your mother or father, your brother or sister, or the culture and heritage you belong to want to protect you as an illegal? Will they protect you as a robber, murderer, or one who rapes? The time has come for pride, honor, and truth to take hold of the mother and fathers of illegals to stand up and say enough. Enough of pretending your children are doing no wrong. If you really are proud of your culture or heritage, why not step forward and become good citizens and respect the laws? If you really love this country so much to be here, why not act like it?

Karl wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:43 PM:Society Degraded All Right @ 9:14 AM:

Okay "Society Degraded All Right" how would you solve the problem of unlicensed, uninsured, unregistered hit and run scofflaws? You had better have an answer if you don't like they way the law is going about it right now.

I personally believe that the checkpoints decrease the odds of me being the victim of a hit and run.

Bring it on "Society Degraded All Right", what's your solution?

Lee wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:43 PM:Thank you EPD.

Lee wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:45 PM:Escondido's streets are safer because of this program...
thank you EPD.

Karl wrote on Aug 31, 2008 1:58 PM:EscoWatchDog @ 11:42 AM:

You my friend are the one that should look up racism in the dictionary. "I cannot be racist because I don't use my power to keep other down". What a ridiculous statement. You are showing your racism by picking and chosing the definition that serves your purpose. Racism is defined in several different ways and "keeping others down" is only one of the many racist tactics. Try dictionary.com "hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.", sound familiar? I've read your posts before and to me you seem to hate and be intolerant of white folks. Yes, believe it or not people such as yourself can be racist when they treat another race with hate and intolerance.

Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall!!!

Karl wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:12 PM:EscoWatchDog @ 12:44 PM:

You are so full of bull. ... If your co-worker was in compliance with the law he/she has their day in court to prove it. As far as "When we try to fight or appeal these decisions, we still have to deal with the bureacracy and the long process that it takes." Long? What a load of huey, every ticket comes with a court date. Since you don't seem to understand let me make it simple for you. First gather all the facts that prove your innocence and then show up on your court date and give the evidence. If you are within the law, you will be more than likely exonerated most of the time. I fought a ticket that my son got several years ago and we won. I do see however that if one were to show up with a large chip on their shoulder (like you), there might be a problem. Quit blaming "the man" for your and your friends lack of respect for the laws of this land.

gone in seconds wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:13 PM:Ok, so I guess we are suppose to let illegal’s drive and get out of their way.
You know it’s all our fault, we made the law’s just to pick on them.
How rude of us, the poor illegal’s shouldn’t have to follow any laws.
Go ahead an vote in our elections, we know you do that anyways so what the heck.
Drive on our roads and risk everyone else’s property and safety because having insurance, knowing how to drive safely, and complying with air pollution and car maintenance standards should not apply to you.
To us driving is a privilege and not a right, but for you lets make it both.
Go ahead and speak your native language, we should after all learn your languages if we purport to be a free nation.
Go ahead and use our hospitals as your free health care system, we will wait until you are finished destroying the health care in the nation.
We should create a separate class of people in this country, the IDNNSR class. That’s the “I DON’T NEED NO STINKING RULES” class.
That will come with a t-shirt that says “ME SPECIAL SO TREAT ME WITH THE RESPECT I DIDN’T EARN”.
You know we should make it easier on them and set up a high speed first class rail system to Central America and South America to pick you up and drop you off wherever in the US. It’s all on our dime.

To jose wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:15 PM:If you can prove you were born with car keys in your hands I can understand why you THINK it is a right to drive, but some how I dought it.

Clueless Lisa wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:29 PM:I support the checkpoints and the city council.

me again Dennis wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:32 PM:Ohh I can cry.. but foe me. Theese check points target one thing and one thing only Driving with out a licence, but if your car is in bad shape or you have no insurance, or your Illeagel, you get POPED!!! its on you people know the law I'm sure legal mexicans like this a lot I know I would, because if a lot of whites were doing this making my life a mess to other citzens(Races) I would be laughfing after their bust's quitley THE TARGET IS THE LAW BREAKER !!!

anotherview wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:38 PM:America exists as a nation of laws. Good citizens obey the law, and expect others to do the same. In fact, the central function of government as the agent to ensure public safety rests on citizen obedience to the law. The law in the State of California says a driver of a motor vehicle must have a valid driver license. Illegal aliens have no right to live and work in America. Because of their status, illegal aliens cannot obtain a driver license. These fundamentals, if accepted, guide any rational consideration of the traffic checkpoints. After all, the illegal aliens buy mechanically marginal automobiles whose operation on the road surely boosts the danger of these unlicensed drivers. As a matter of public safety, these illegal alien drivers, along with other unlicensed drivers, drunks, and criminals, do not belong on the road. Thankfully, the traffic checkpoints remove some of these dangerous scofflaw drivers and their automobiles from our highways. Let us hope other communities see the sense and value of using the law enforcement technique of traffic checkpoints as a simple, effective means to support public safety for all concerned.

Sunshine wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:40 PM:I like the checkpoints.

Buttercup wrote on Aug 31, 2008 2:51 PM:I would like to see more checkpoints. They make me fel safer.

Public Education wrote on Aug 31, 2008 3:44 PM:Why does this article not educate the public on the impound law. A good public education is available at the CHP's website:
www.chp.ca.gov/html/impound.html

Not Forced to Live Here wrote on Aug 31, 2008 3:53 PM:If you do not have a drivers license, and you do not like the check points, MOVE! No one is forcing illegal migrants to settle in Escondido.

CA State Law wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:18 PM:California Vehicle Code: 'A vehicle so impounded shall be impounded for 30 days.' CVC 14602.6 (a)(1)

'If a driver is unable to produce a valid driver's license
on the demand of a peace officer enforcing the provisions of this
code, as required by subdivision (b) of Section 12951, the vehicle
shall be impounded regardless of ownership, unless the peace officer
is reasonably able, by other means, to verify that the driver is
properly licensed. Prior to impounding a vehicle, a peace officer
shall attempt to verify the license status of a driver who claims to
be properly licensed but is unable to produce the license on demand
of the peace officer. CVC 14607.6

The use of 'shall' is in the Vehicle Code.

Tuck wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:27 PM:To Anotherview:
Well said!!!
Further, since so many "Americans" cannot follow the rules, we are now entering a nanny state.

cashmann wrote on Aug 31, 2008 4:43 PM:If you do not have a license why do you need a car back?

A Lopez wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:04 PM:How many times has this story been printed? (at least 3x) People that follow the laws of the USA have nothing to worry about or hide from. If you drink,don't drive;if you don't have a license,don't drive;if you don't have insurance or updated registration,don't drive your car.I don't go to Mexico without car insurance & I know this is the law there. Just follow the rules and grow up or prepare for consequences.

Deanna wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:44 PM:"Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times .....or its staff writers... if this is the case why be threaten with my comments NCT?

Cheap Car Strategy wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:45 PM:Some unlicensed drivers buy cheap cars for the purpose of abandoning the impounded cars if caught driving without a license.

TO now jobless wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:52 PM:Your story is full of untruths. 1) A parking ticket does NOT appear on YOUR license...an unpaid one MAY later appear on your VEHICLE registration. It is not a moving violation and there is no "Notice to Appear" in court, therefore, your license can not be suspended for the violation. Try again with your lie please. 2) take the temp handicap placard and it wouldnt have happened or DROP OFF the handicapped patient and go park your car! Again...ignorance and laziness is not an excuse

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:04 PM:Karl, you want to give me a lesson on intolerence? I like how you didn't comment on my suggestion for White Privilege. I know what racism means and you have a poor defense with dictionary.com. Most people who have never been discriminated against have a hard time knowing what racism really is. I will continue to complain "about the man" while you continue bow down "to the man." I won't allow this country to become a police state. Someone mentioned facism on this blog and they are right. Checkpoints were tactics of the Nazis and I won't condone that here my country.

Miguel wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:30 PM:Thank you police for enforcing the laws and protecting innocent citizens.

EscoOldLady wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:34 PM:Does Sifuentes have any other topics. He has repeated this article endlessly with the same quotes.Flores has no credibility. I've witnessed several checkpoints and have observed a variety of people stopped. Alot of we old ladies keep our purses in our trunks, so get sent to the secondary inspection. Once we produce our licenses, registration and proof of insurance we go our way.

No problem-stop me every day. We don't need unlicensed, uninsured or unregistered vehicle drivers on our streets. Sifuentes find another topic. I'm glad the city is making a profit!

Lyle wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:42 PM:Well enough. They, Sifuentes and Flores, need to give up and can the same old crap commentary. The handwriting is on the wall.
The future will be more check points, laws prohibiting overpopulating single family dwellings, and proof of legality for any government service. Jusy wait, it's coming because of those with the arrogant attitude these two display.

Schneider wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:44 PM:Okay. The answer to the parking problem. Impound all the illegal aliens vehicles. Problem solved! No need for an ordinance.

good for the city and towing wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:50 PM:companies, take back some of the money that the illegals are sucking off our taxes

Anybody But Olga wrote on Aug 31, 2008 6:52 PM:I support the checkpoints.

Well said wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:03 PM:Well said, anotherview! I hope Bill Flores and other "Latino activists" read your comments and come to their collective senses.

Harry wrote on Aug 31, 2008 7:08 PM:So what if they use this as a tool to catch illegals.Were infested with them I don't see the problem.It's not racial if they are catching criminals.

Compassionate liberal wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:21 PM:I worry about the self-esteem of those who have their cars towed.

Maria wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:28 PM:Those of us who are hardworking law abiding citizens support the police who are doing their job of enforcing the laws.

Hank wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:31 PM:TO EscoWatchDog:

To compare these checkpoints to the tactics of Nazis only shows your ignorance. Only an uninformed person would even begin to draw a comparison. The Nazis arrested and killed people, while these checkpoints target law breakers. I think you have been brainwashed by Madonna and her Hollywood pals.

bryan wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:42 PM:Call city council and request they do checkpoints every day.

Trey wrote on Aug 31, 2008 8:45 PM:NCT is so pro illegal alien that they hate that escondido is trying to make life difficult for all criminals including the illegals. I think we are at a tipping point here, I dont think this community can take this any longer.

Dennis wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:06 PM:Thanks NCTimes for posting me (@nd time) I hade to cool off,
I Say let them RAKE!!!!

old white chick wrote on Aug 31, 2008 9:37 PM:Hispanic profiling???? I think not!!! I am obviously an older white female with blonde hair and I get pulled over for more questioning. Is this profiling? NO - just the EPD doing their JOB - making sure the streets of Escondido are safe for the responsible residents of the city. So what? - it was a 1-2 minute delay. For those that complain - move somewhere else. Thanks again EPD - keep up the great job!!

Economist wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:41 PM:Much rather see the towing companies make money off the Illegals than to see all the money be sent to ... Mexico.

EscoWatchDog wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:49 PM:You never replied (Hank) on your accusal of talking about Latinos ...but you will deny the Nazi used checkpoints? Madonna didn't have to tell me that one. No one is talking about killing, so don't get off topic again! Sometimes we must use examples of extreme situations because we are headed for extreme measures. I don't want a police state, do you?

Drunks need love too... wrote on Aug 31, 2008 11:44 PM:I am tired of taking a back seat to the illegals. How come the NC Times writer can't write a story about the hardship these checkpoints constitute for us drunks? Why do illegals get all the sympathy from writers like him? When my junker gets towed, I am out substantial beer money. I am a person too! Mr. NC Times writer why do you discriminate against me????

Guero wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:11 AM:I approve of the checkpoints, but I don't understand why so many yahoos are screaming about supposedly biased articles and supposed sympathy for lawbreakers. The city's making a lot of money off of the checkpoints, and what's wrong with that? Some people won't be satisfied until all illegal immigrants are called "dirty rotten stinking lawbreakers."

james wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:18 AM:im glad for these checkpoints makes it much safer for myself and my wife to drive. The fact is our race(hispanics)regardless of citizenship create stereotypes and unexpected checkpoints because of our mistakes but few 2nd gen hispanics fail to see this instead their brainwashed by gangs and crime driven individuals.ill be damned if my son grows up in this city

jvc wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:02 AM:A white female with blond hair?
You bet I would pull you over on a traffic stop.....I know beauty when I see it!

To Now Jobless response wrote on Sep 1, 2008 6:37 AM:I told no "untruths". You better
quit responding to things you know nothing about. You are giving many people wrong advise, such as you did.
Your license most certainly will be suspended if you can't or don't pay the court ordered fine after having your day in court. (moving violation or not!)
I know! Mine was suspended for non payment of that ticket, along with not being able to register my car when it was time.
So I am in no way telling any kind of "UNTRUTH" as you say. You are just UNEDUCATED and very bored obviously.
If you would read my comment again, you would see that I said I parked there because the lady was in such pain and could no way walk by herself. I didn't say I was right in doing so. As the Judge pointed out, around the front of the building their was a loading and unloading passengers Now for you and you only I will elaborate. She needed my assistanse into the doctors office.
she was having some kind of sudden complications due to a recent neck operation she had. Got it?
I just spared the other readers the boring details as my point had been made to those not just sitting in wait for a comment to rip apart.
BTW This should make your day.
I took my punishment, learned an expensive lesson, am now walking a long way (for a 54 yr old woman) to an awful much harder, degrading job, for much less money just to get all the tickets and penalties paid so I can drive again someday.
You feel better now?

IF.. wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:42 AM:folks obeyed the laws, there would be no check points. There is always a balance between individual freedoms and government, for the greater social good. The question is determining where is the line drawn?

Fallbrook resident wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:08 AM:Please bring this programe to Fallbrook!

If you drive without a valid Lic dont drive or face losing your car simple.
If you drive drunk or have drugs on you, you will lose the car.
This Rule is simple.

Hank wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:23 AM:To: EscoWatchDog

1. You said that the checkpoints were racist in nature. Who am I to think you are talking about, Asians? You also used the euphemism undocumented, which means illegal. In San Diego, illegal usually means Hispanic. Your brought up race, not me!
2. Yes, the Nazis did have checkpoints. They also had gas chambers, firing squads, work camps, etc. What’s next? You are going to tell me picking fruit is the equivalent of a work camp. LOL

I think it is time you read the Diary of Anne Frank. You need a refresher course on history.

Paul wrote on Sep 1, 2008 8:28 AM:DO YOU HAFF YOUR PAPERZZ??? All of you
Escondido residents that put up with jackbooted thugs stopping you at checkpoints ought to have your heads examined. The only thing missing here is the swastika arm bands. The headlong rush of people to surrender their freedom for ridiculous and petty reasons totally baffles me. Glad I don't live in your police state, but I live close and this is reason enough never to take any business to Escondido.

Harry wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:20 AM:Paul sounds like you have a problem with the LAWS of this Country.Go ahead and take your business somewhere else.

Jaque wrote on Sep 1, 2008 9:34 AM:Of course the checkpoints are racist in nature. If that isn't the case, then it is indicative of a police state. Harry Hank or whomever, when will it end? Do you exceed any posted speed limits on the raod, ever? Should there be a sensor in your car that delivers a message to the police when you have done so, and thus a ticket mailed to you? Don't be so puritan . You don't really think the involved agencies do this to keep "you safe" do you?

Bo wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:05 AM:Flores says the checkpoints are ineffective? Taking the car away from an unlicesnsed / uninsured driver prevents that person from driving that car; seems pretty damn effective to me!And he says the Police are spending a lot of resources on the checkpoints? They raked in 2.5 million in the last three years, it sure sounds like they are getting the resources back! As for the poor illegal immigrants losing cars the answer is simple; obtain legal immigration status, get a license and insurance, or don't drive. Don't expect the legal citizens to feel sorry for your lawless ways!

Paul wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:08 AM:Harry, I have no problems with the law regarding unlicensed operation of motor vehicles, in fact I am well in favor of the current laws and penalties for unlicensed operation. I have lost thousands in a single accident with an unlicensed illegal alien so I'm no bleeding heart here... What I have a problem with is having armed thugs stopping me, asking me for documents, shining flashlights in my eyes, etc...all with zero probable cause for such interrogation. Checkpoints have no place in a free society. They are completely in opposition to the basic presumption of innocence that is the basis of our legal system and differentiates us from the rest of the world. I am a sober, law abiding citizen with a valid drivers license and a vehicle in good repair. I should never ever have to submit to police interrogation without ample probable cause. Henry, as long as the City of Escondido continues to act like a two bit third world dictatorship I will gladly bring my business elsewhere.

Paul wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:09 AM:Sorry, I meant to address Harry in my last post.

To Paul wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:15 AM:Sounds like you are in trouble or have had trouble with the law.

To Paul wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:18 AM:Referring to police officers as "armed thugs" is uncalled for. The police are on our side. Paul- please go away.

EscoWatchDog wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:20 AM:Great, Hank agrees the Nazi used checkpoints. Finally the light bulb went off! My point is the EPD is using one of their tactics. One is more than enough because ..don't you think?

Paul, I agree with you. This is a issue about freedom and most people are happy to allow EPD to search them just so they can catch some "illegals". I am not okay with giving any government agency that much power. What happened to our American ideals of little government meddling in our lives? It shocks me how people want to create a police state in this country.

Harry wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:23 AM: