Tackling The Immigration Issue

Tulsa's new top cop is pounding the pavement. Interim Police Chief David Bostrom returned to the streets Saturday, trying to get familiar with the city, and address major concerns about immigration

Saturday, June 2nd 2007, 5:33 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa's new top cop is pounding the pavement. Interim Police Chief David Bostrom returned to the streets Saturday, trying to get familiar with the city, and address major concerns about immigration at the same time. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage talked to the chief about his latest assignment. He reports Chief Bostrom says heâ€™s trying to win an ally in Tulsa's fight to become a safer city.

With the help of a translator, Bostrom recalled his days as a street cop in Washington D.C. during a forum with Tulsaâ€™s Hispanic community. Bostrom returned to the streets Saturday night, learning the ropes in Tulsa, and trying to build a bridge with the Hispanic community, and that seems to be coming easier than expected.

"This is our friend," said Reverend Victor Orta of the American Dream Coalition.

Bostrom was endorsed by Reverend Victor Orta, a coordinator of recent immigrant rallies. They took their message to the streets last month, but on Saturday they got their chance to have a two way conversation.

"It's not fair to take advantage of me because I look like this," said one person who attended the forum.

Bostrom faced tough questions about racial profiling and immigration enforcement. Most in the crowd were parents.

"What if they deport me and take away my child?" asked one parent.

And their children were top of mind.

"Some of these issues are national issues, issues that are popping up all over the country. Tulsa is not unique in that regard. These are issues I've heard before and they're not new issues," Bostrom said.

Chief Bostrom believes in community policing, and says he needs the Hispanic community to buy into his plan. That's why he's riding along with East Tulsa officers, and addressing the concerns he heard Saturday at the latest shift squad meeting.

"It's the only way the law can get enforced and we can be effective,â€ said Bostrom. â€œPolicing is not something police can do by themselves, they need community support, they need community involvement, and they need the community to partner with them in their efforts."

At Saturdayâ€™s forum the chief spent a fair amount of time clearing up confusion regarding a city council resolution. The council wants police officers to check immigration status in all misdemeanor and felony arrests, but the police won't act on the resolution without the mayor's authorization. Chief Bostrom says he doesn't believe Mayor Taylor supports the measure.

Watch the video: Police Chief Takes On Immigration Issue

WEB EXTRA: Interim Police Chief David Bostrom On Immigration

Related Stories:

3/5/2007 Green Country Hispanics Fight New Immigration Bill

4/3/2007 Controversial Immigration Bill Closer To Becoming Law

4/16/2007 State Senate Approves Sweeping Immigration Legislation

4/19/2007 Hispanics Speak Out Against Immigration Legislation

5/1/2007 State House Sends Immigration Reform Bill To The Governor

5/1/2007 Hispanic Leaders Say State Immigration Bill Will Not Work

5/2/2007 Governor Henry Still Undecided On Immigration Reform Bill

5/8/2007 Governor Signs Sweeping Immigration Reform Bill

5/8/2007 Controversial Immigration Bill Signed Into Law

5/9/2007 Local Business Could See A Boost Thanks To A New Immigration Law

5/9/2007 Immigration Law Creates New Rules For Oklahoma Employers

5/22/2007 Tulsa City Council Mulls Immigration Plan

5/24/2007 Still No Decision In Tulsa Immigration Plan

5/25/2007 City Council Passes New Immigration Ordinance

5/31/2007 Key Officials Meet To Discuss The City's Immigration Policy

6/2/2007 Debate Continues On Immigration Reform