Dallas police gave 38 improper no-English tickets

[TxEMTP69]

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11374402

DALLAS (AP) - Police officials say they have uncovered 38 cases where Dallas officers improperly cited drivers for not being able to speak English.
Chief David Kunkle said Friday the discovery came after a woman was pulled over earlier this month for making an illegal U-turn and was given a ticket for being a "non-English speaking driver."
Kunkle said his department's computer system for citations has a pull-down menu that includes a law requiring drivers of commercial vehicles to speak English.
The chief said it was a federal law that was misapplied to local drivers of private vehicles.
Kunkle says at least six officers wrote the citations. He said the officers and their commanders are under investigation.

[cuate]

I wouldn't touch that one with a ten foot pole !!! But I feel that Mr. Ticket Writer could have called for a bi-lingual officer to assist him should the necessity arise or even learn some rudimentary Spanish to explain to people why they were stopped.

The media claims Dallas to be 44% Hispanic with 45% of that population only speaking their own language. That being the case Chief Kunkle took
the right steps. Texas law issues drivers licenses to folks if they take the written in Spanish...

Best solution....Learn English

[DCortez]

Originally Posted by cuate

Best solution....Learn English

If I moved to another country, I'd learn the language. Screw missing out on opportunities, making it easier for people to take advantage of you, and hoping you can burden another American with your lack of preparation/motivation.

[Renegade]

Writing tickets for not speaking English is wrong, but letting go illegal aliens is A-OK....

[M. Sage]

Sounds like a great idea for a new law. No speaky English, no drivey.

What does someone who doesn't speak English do when they run across a sign that isn't a pictogram? "Bridge out!" "Construction ahead, slow down"? Dangerous, IMO.

[DCortez]

Originally Posted by M. Sage

What does someone who doesn't speak English do when they run across a sign that isn't a pictogram? "Bridge out!" "Construction ahead, slow down"?

Sue the state.

[Wraith]

Sounds good to me, English is the language of USA. I hate that they offer the test in Spanish.

[Navarone]

I lived in Italy for 5 years after I got out out of the Army. Took me about less than 1 year to get the language down. I know some guys that lived here since childhood and still cant speak english. There is no excuse for a person not to know English. Its the easiest language to learn EVER.

The real issue is that Texas especially caters too much to non english speakers. Take away all the bilingual services, jobs, special help and people will actually attempt to learn the language.

[JimmyGreen]

My grandmother was from Piedras Negras, Mexico. She immigrated here LEGALLY back in the 30's. She decided not to teach any of her children spanish because she told them that "You're in America, so you're gonna speak english. If you want to learn spanish, learn it in school, but I will not teach you." It used to piss me off when I was working in the pharmacy and would get told "You have bad customer service because the spanish speaking patients don't understand you"... Hell, I didn't understand them all that well, as I only speak enough spanish to get me by. Anyway, the bottom line is.. When in Rome, do as the romans... When in America, learn the language, or get the hell out.

[hkusp1]

alot people of who say they cant speak english lie about it they in fact can speak and understand english just fine there is alot of advantage to making someone believe they cant speak english.