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Cop abuse hotline opens up

Posted: Sep 2, 2010 5:43 PM
Updated: Sep 2, 2010 6:41 PM


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TUCSON - Across the nation, the number of illegal immigrants has decreased.

But Derechos Humanos says, the amount of abuse, against undocumented immigrants, has increased.

They say that's why they've started a 24 hour hotline so people can report abuse and racial profiling by law enforcement.

The campaign called "Yo soy testigo" or "I am a witness" was officially launched today.

Derechos Humanos volunteers take down information about reported abuses by law enforcement.

At the news conference, organizations spoke out about what they say are blatant injustices.

Colette Gomez with Migra Patrol Cop-Watch says, "We have seen Border Patrol and TPD working together and doing sweeps like ones in Phoenix and taking advantage of people and using intimidations."

Some of the calls are being documented on video. Jason Aragon of Pan Left Productions says, "Enough is enough. We don't want to see this kind of law enforcement in our community anymore."

Police Chief Roberto Villasenor saw the video and says his officers did nothing wrong.

"I don't know what this is trying to accomplish other than fan the flames of mistrust that we're all trying to prevent between the police dept. and the community," he says.

In two weeks since "Yo Soy Testigo "or "I am a witness" hotline got underway, they've had 67 text messages and over 150 phone calls.

Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos says, "There definitely a systematic problem with certain officers via comments they've made the things they've said the abuses that have occurred."

Chief Villasenor says in 2009 there were 8 complaints filed against officers; this year 4. This is out of 900-thousand calls for service.

"So where is the whole groundswell they say of people out there who are feeling they are profiled, I would like to know?"

Rodriguez replied, "I believe they get very few but people are afraid of them and that the problem."

The group intends to put together a report and release it to the community and the agencies involved.

They also said the majority of the people who call in only speak Spanish and are undocumented.

The number is (520) 261-5890.

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