CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Police, jury clash on checks

The Orange County Grand Jury on Monday suggested the county’s larger cities, such as Huntington Beach and Santa Ana, should consider checking the immigration status of everyone booked at their jails, as Costa Mesa does.

The suggestion came in a report that also reviewed the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s handling of illegal immigration checks at the county jail, which have taken place since late December.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Ken Small said Wednesday the information contained in the report is incomplete. According to Small, the report fails to mention the department’s working relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement already in existence.

Since March 1, the department has placed immigration holds on 32 people arrested for any felony or a misdemeanor that jeopardizes public safety, Jail Administrator Dale Miller said Wednesday. Eleven were arrested for driving under the influence, five for narcotic transportation and sales, and the rest for felonies ranging between carjacking and attempted murder, Miller said.

However, Small emphasized that the department will not place holds on individuals cited for less substantial violations, such as jaywalking.

“We’re not federal immigration officials, but are in the business of public safety,” Small said. “If you are endangering public safety we think you should go to immigration and let them deal with you.”

Rohrabacher predicts backlash if bill is passed

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher panned the recently proposed federal immigration reform bill.

The bipartisan bill would give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, change the way immigrants are allowed into the country and require U.S. workers to prove they are here legally. It would also toughen enforcement with the hiring of 6,000 Border Patrol officers, construction of hundreds of miles of fencing and vehicle barriers, and other measures.

Rohrabacher, a Republican, said it would “increase the overall flow of immigrants, both legal and illegal,” and he called it “a declaration of war on America’s middle class.”

The bill’s guest-worker provision would depress wages and take jobs away from Americans, the congressman said. Giving illegal immigrants the opportunity to apply for citizenship would encourage more illegal immigration, Rohrabacher said.

The Senate started debating the bill this week. Rohrabacher thinks that with a Democratic congressional majority and President Bush’s support, the bill stood a good chance of being signed into law. But he envisioned a voter backlash if it does.

“I think it will create a whole new dynamic force in America, and there will be a whole counter-reaction to this betrayal in the next election,” Rohrabacher said.

Jacks Jewelers’ owner elected Grand Marshal

George Jacks, owner of Jacks Jewelers, 18575 Main St., in the Five Points shopping center, has been elected Community Grand Marshal of the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

For years, Jacks, who has run his business in the city since 1948, has given gifts to the indigent on the occasion of graduations, first marriages and firstborns.

The Community Grand Marshal designation is awarded to someone who lives or works in Huntington Beach who contributes to the community.

Anyone with a positive story about Jacks is asked to forward comments to the July 4th Executive Board, 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach, 92648.

Construction progresses quickly, officials say

Construction on city roads as part of the Orange County Transportation Authority-funded Arterial Rehabilitation project is moving along very quickly, according to city officials.

Reconstruction of Adams Avenue is ahead of schedule, and the road is expected to be completely finished before Memorial Day weekend. Traffic issues were minor throughout the project, even the nighttime paving at Adams Avenue and Brookhurst Street.

Contractors will now move on to Goldenwest Street between Warner and McFadden avenues this week, and message boards will notify commuters of any delays. That project is expected to be finished by August.

City School District to hold student arts exhibit

The Huntington Beach City School District is having its first student arts exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St. The exhibition features works by elementary and middle school students and is open to the public. The opening-night celebration will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 1 and will include performances by school arts groups. The exhibit will then last through June 7. For more information, call (714) 375-1650.

---------------------------

What do you think of the suggestion that police check the immigration status of everyone booked at the city jail? Send e-mail to [email protected]. Please spell your name and include your hometown and phone number for verification purposes.