Immigrants living in the Takoma/Langley Crossroads said police take too long or do not respond at all to calls for violence or other crimes in the area while others demanded that police support immigration reform at the federal level.
A panel of three high-ranking police from Montgomery and Prince George's counties and the city of Takoma Park took part in an open forum Thursday, assuring residents that police would investigate any complaints about service in the Crossroads, but noting that immigration reform remains a federal issue and is not a priority for local police.
Hosted by the Silver Spring-based immigrant advocacy group Casa of Maryland, the forum featured three foreign-born residents from each of the three police districts that cover the Crossroads area and focused on violence in the community, abuse of power and neglect by law enforcement officials in their areas. Police were then invited to respond and clarify misconceptions.
Residents spoke in Spanish while police spoke in English as Casa organizer Alexis DeSimone translated.
Many speakers, including Juan Lopez, a Langley Park restaurant manager who did not reveal the name of his restaurant, brought up a lack of responsiveness by police departments. He told officers that at 1 a.m. June 6 a Hispanic man entered his restaurant to call police because three men were threatening him outside.
"[The police] never arrived and 10 to 15 minutes later, three black males came in the restaurant and start beating up the guy with baseball bats. … We called 911 again and there was no response," he said after the hearing, recounting his testimony. "When we call them, they ask so many questions and they take too long [to arrive]."
Lt. Col. Michael Blow, who represented Prince George's County Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton at the meeting, asked for more information about the incident, which occurred in Prince George's County, and vowed to follow up more efficiently in the future.
Meanwhile, Lt. Robert McCullagh, representing Montgomery County Chief J. Thomas Manger, said residents who were upset by an apparent lack of police response might not understand police tactics in responding to crime. He said officers sometimes arrive at crime scenes but monitor the area from a distance or undercover, so criminals are not alerted.
Meanwhile, Margarito Esquino asked the departments to make more of an effort to inform immigrants of why they are being cited or arrested. She also asked police to refuse to cooperate with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
"I've also heard that the police would not work with [ICE], but in reality, that is not the case," he said. He and others were concerned that immigrants who had been arrested were reported to the federal agency.
The police informed the community that officers were not in charge of or trained to conduct immigration enforcement. Takoma Park Police Chief Ronald Ricucci even gained applause from the audience as he explained the city's sanctuary laws that specifically prohibit officers from sharing information with ICE.
"[But] when you break the law and go to jail, the jail then takes over," Ricucci warned. "The jail will contact different authorities if [prisoners are] found wanted by [ICE]."
In Montgomery County, officers work with ICE if an illegal immigrant is detained with a history of violent crime or a handgun offense, according to McCullagh. A similar policy exists in Prince George's County.
Residents at the hearing directed most of their criticism toward Prince George's County police, culminating in a dramatic appearance by Manuel de Jesus Espina Jacome, whose father, Manuel de Jesus Espina, was killed by an off-duty Prince George's County officer in August.
"The police department in Prince George's County is not doing well, maybe one day 100 years from now it will be better, but because one imbecile entered our apartment, assassinating a person in my life that I held most dear … now I am always missing [my father]," he said in Spanish. "I would like for you to explain to me … what has happened to that officer, because we will not rest until he pays."
Blow assured the audience that the department was investigating the case carefully and had forwarded its findings to the state's attorney's office, where the final judgment will be made.
"It has a devastating affect on the family of the person involved as well as the officer that was involved, which is why so much time and effort goes into the investigation," he said. "[The state's attorney's office will] take whatever action they deem is appropriate and our agency will abide by their decision."
Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey has yet to make a determination on the case, according to spokesman Ramon V. Korionoff when reached for comment Tuesday.
"It's an ongoing investigation and we're looking at the facts very carefully," he said. "We'll come to a conclusion in due course [and] we will come to a conclusion based on evidence and fact."
While Casa officials and residents applauded the willingness of the police to continue communicating with the community, many left the meeting less than hopeful for lasting change. Lopez, who had to leave early to work at his restaurant, said he maintained hope, but saw much work ahead.
"I'm not totally satisfied, but I hope we can see some more improvements," he said. "We need to keep organizing meetings like this."
