My Letter to The CHP Regarding Katrina and the Reponse
After Katrina I sent emails to my political reps and the CHP. Here is their response and my reply.
My Counter:
I understand the facts you have stated. If they were deputized as LSP they need to apply the laws of LA not CA. However you have not justified the forcible entry to a private home without a warrant and the illegal confiscation of a firearm. Illegal in my opinion and backed up by the US Federal Court in that District. Are you aware of the consent decree? Are you saying that your policy supports this action? If not what action have you taken to correct this situation?
The tape clearly shows the elderly woman asking the officers to leave after she let the reporters in. She is clearly set upon by three officers and forced out of her home without possession. In fact she has an officer on each arm pulling her out. In another clip "rich" people are left alone. This clearly depicts an inadequate level of training and poor policy to me.
If you can't learn the laws of PA and are asked to come here then please stay out until you do. I live by them and as citizen's you should too. Maybe a seminar regarding these differences would avoid further damage to what I formerly perceived to be a very professional reputation.
And if is your policy supports the action of these officers my only recourse is to limit my commerce with your state.
My apologies for this late reply as other business has kept me occupied.
-------------- Original message --------------
** High Priority **
Dear Sir or Madam:
I have received your comments regarding the involvement of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the state of Louisiana. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some additional information that might clarify the recent actions of the CHP.
As you are aware Hurricane Katrina struck the eastern shoreline of Louisiana on Monday, August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina was a category 4 storm which left a
wake of massive destruction along the gulf coast. The devastation, loss of lives, and subsequent civil unrest has prompted many federal, state, and local
government agencies to deploy resources to Louisiana to assist in restoring order.
On September 3, 2005, the Governor of the State of Louisiana and the Superintendent of the Louisiana State Patrol (LSP) made a formal request for
mutual aid to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California Government Code (GC) Sections 177, 178, and 178.5 establishes California's participation in
the Interstate Civil Defense and Disaster Compact. This compact authorizes affected states of a disaster to deputize assisting law enforcement agencies to
extend the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities as if they were performing their duties in their own state
With the approval of Governor Schwarzenegger, three CHP rotary-wing aircraft,and approximately 113 uniformed CHP personnel, were dispatched to Louisiana. On September 6, 2005, peace officer powers were conveyed to CHP personnel through LSP officials during a swearing in ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The primary mission of the CHP is to provide safety, service, and security. Accordingly, the CHP's mission within the state of Louisiana remains the same
while supporting LSP's search and rescue operations. CHP and LSP personnel are performing general law enforcement duties and operations related to restoring order, saving lives, and maintaining security as tasked by LSP.
I hope this information assist you in understanding our position. Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns.
Sincerely,
A. V. Alcaro, Captain
Commander
Research and Planning Section
"" 9/10/2005 5:28:57 PM
If some crisis similar to the Katrina Crisis was to befall Pennsylvania please do not send your people to Pennsylvania.
In the state where the Declaration of Independence, US constitution, and the Bill of Rights was written we have no use for your police state tactics.
The breaking in to an elderly woman's home and forcibly dragging her out was a symbol of a very dark day in America.
My conscience will not allow me to knowingly spend one dollar in your state so that I can say I never supported your war against the Citizens of the US in good faith.
MB
After Katrina I sent emails to my political reps and the CHP. Here is their response and my reply.
My Counter:
I understand the facts you have stated. If they were deputized as LSP they need to apply the laws of LA not CA. However you have not justified the forcible entry to a private home without a warrant and the illegal confiscation of a firearm. Illegal in my opinion and backed up by the US Federal Court in that District. Are you aware of the consent decree? Are you saying that your policy supports this action? If not what action have you taken to correct this situation?
The tape clearly shows the elderly woman asking the officers to leave after she let the reporters in. She is clearly set upon by three officers and forced out of her home without possession. In fact she has an officer on each arm pulling her out. In another clip "rich" people are left alone. This clearly depicts an inadequate level of training and poor policy to me.
If you can't learn the laws of PA and are asked to come here then please stay out until you do. I live by them and as citizen's you should too. Maybe a seminar regarding these differences would avoid further damage to what I formerly perceived to be a very professional reputation.
And if is your policy supports the action of these officers my only recourse is to limit my commerce with your state.
My apologies for this late reply as other business has kept me occupied.
-------------- Original message --------------
** High Priority **
Dear Sir or Madam:
I have received your comments regarding the involvement of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the state of Louisiana. I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some additional information that might clarify the recent actions of the CHP.
As you are aware Hurricane Katrina struck the eastern shoreline of Louisiana on Monday, August 29, 2005. Hurricane Katrina was a category 4 storm which left a
wake of massive destruction along the gulf coast. The devastation, loss of lives, and subsequent civil unrest has prompted many federal, state, and local
government agencies to deploy resources to Louisiana to assist in restoring order.
On September 3, 2005, the Governor of the State of Louisiana and the Superintendent of the Louisiana State Patrol (LSP) made a formal request for
mutual aid to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. California Government Code (GC) Sections 177, 178, and 178.5 establishes California's participation in
the Interstate Civil Defense and Disaster Compact. This compact authorizes affected states of a disaster to deputize assisting law enforcement agencies to
extend the same powers, duties, rights, privileges and immunities as if they were performing their duties in their own state
With the approval of Governor Schwarzenegger, three CHP rotary-wing aircraft,and approximately 113 uniformed CHP personnel, were dispatched to Louisiana. On September 6, 2005, peace officer powers were conveyed to CHP personnel through LSP officials during a swearing in ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The primary mission of the CHP is to provide safety, service, and security. Accordingly, the CHP's mission within the state of Louisiana remains the same
while supporting LSP's search and rescue operations. CHP and LSP personnel are performing general law enforcement duties and operations related to restoring order, saving lives, and maintaining security as tasked by LSP.
I hope this information assist you in understanding our position. Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns.
Sincerely,
A. V. Alcaro, Captain
Commander
Research and Planning Section
"" 9/10/2005 5:28:57 PM
If some crisis similar to the Katrina Crisis was to befall Pennsylvania please do not send your people to Pennsylvania.
In the state where the Declaration of Independence, US constitution, and the Bill of Rights was written we have no use for your police state tactics.
The breaking in to an elderly woman's home and forcibly dragging her out was a symbol of a very dark day in America.
My conscience will not allow me to knowingly spend one dollar in your state so that I can say I never supported your war against the Citizens of the US in good faith.
MB
