New Berlin Firefighters Rescued Several Ducklings From Sewer In Wisconsin

Members of the New Berlin Fire Department are being phrased for their humanitarian deed to save several ducklings from a sewer.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Net work U.S.A.

July 26, 2017

New Berlin, WI - On July 24, 2017, New Berlin firefighters were called to the 14000 block of W. National Ave. just before 3:00 p.m. where they proceeded to rescue several ducklings. 

New Berlin Fire Chief Lloyd Bertram told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. that, "The crews retrieved several ducklings from the sewer." A job well done by the fire crew and the good samaritans that contacted the fire department. 

Carlos Hakas From L.A. Caught On Video Overturning A Food Vendor's Cart

Hakas during a disagreement with a Latino food vendor's cart resorted to over turn the cart destroying much of the food while his girlfriend watched.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 24, 2017

Los Angeles, California - A Facebook (FB) video has gone viral and it didn't take long to identify the suspect who overturned a Latino food vendor's cart during a disagreement over blocking a sidewalk. Carlos Hakas, 40, who was identified by FB users asked the street vendor to move his cart so he could pass and the vendor responded, but Hakas decided not to walk around the vendor's cart and took it upon himself to overturn the cart.

In the video, which was recorded by the street vendor, Benjamin Ramirez, 24, and has been circulating on social media after his mother Imelda Reyes posted it in her FB account, which showed Hakas having an exchange of words with Ramirez, a Latino street food vendor at a city street corner, then Hakas is seen coming up to the cart and overturned it ruining much of the food and damaged the cart.
Ramirez says, that Hakas had bullied him multiple times within the last two weeks and caused about $800 in damage to his cart including loss of food. Ramirez told Fox 11 Los Angeles that he wants justice and for Hakas to pay for the damaged he cause. L.A. police are looking for Hakas who allegedly attacked another man as well.

But, it didn't take long for Hakas and his girlfriend to get identified in social media by FB users, which his name and address including his phone were posted.

Street vendor's video: https://youtu.be/mHIXlSaKMBQ

A Gofundme was started by Israel Carrasco for Benjamin Ramirez who had his antojito food cart damaged by Carlos Hakas in L.A. https://www.gofundme.com/benjamin-elote-man-ramirez

White Kid Admits Calling Man "Nigger" At The Party City In West Allis

West Allis police were called to the Party City after a couple complained that they were profiled and a White kid called him the N word, which a teenage cashier employee later admitted to exaggerating on her Facebook that the Afro-American couple were arrested for drugs.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 24, 2017

West Allis, WI - On July 22, Carrick "Rick" Smith posted a video recording of an encounter with a White kid and a Party City cashier on his Facebook (FB) account and claimed that he and a woman (Smith's wife) were profiled for being Afro-Americans at Party City in West Allis. The FB video begins when Smith approached some kids outside of Party City and Smith asks one of the kids, if he called him a "Nigger" and one of the kids admitted to it. Smith then walks back into the Party City business and began to complain that the kids had called him the N word and requested for security.

Later, the Party City cashier alleged that Smith and his wife were arrested by West Allis police for having marijuana. Which, afterwards the White female teenage cashier admitted she had exaggerated on her FB post.

Apparently, the teenage cashier is now alleging that a West Allis police officer told her that the Afro-American couple would be arrested, which Smith confirmed that they were not taken into custody or cited and that "police handled the situation accordingly."

Smith posted on his FB account, "Kids calling me and my wife niggers at party city after manager harassed us about how we smelled (they say marijuana)... police were called and deemed all my actions appropriate.... no tickets were written, no drugs were found...police handled situation very accordingly
West Allis, WI. Please Share."

The teenage cashier in her FB post also stated that the couple came into the store and shortly "our whole store smell strongly of weed" and that's how the incident escalated.

Smith's Facebook video at link: http://goo.gl/Kd1tXQ

Tiffany Tischer posted what the Party City female teenage cashier admitted to exaggerating.

Joshua F. Larson Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Causing Two Vehicular Homicides While Intoxicated

Larson will serve 10 years in prison and 4 years in supervision for driving while intoxicated and causing a crash resulting in two deaths in 2016.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 21, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Friday, Joshua F. Larson, 32, a former off-duty Milwaukee firefighter was sentenced to 14 years in prison on two felony counts for homicide use of a vehicle with PAC (Prohibited Alcohol Concentration) in the April 2016 deaths of several victims. Larson was convicted after pleading guilty in May for intoxicated driving and causing a fatal three vehicle crash that claimed the lives of Uber driver Yoruba Sly-Lundasi, 64, and his passenger Wendell Kenneth Johnson, 38, of Chicago.

In May, Larson under the plead guilty agreement, he had two additional felony charges dismissed and will not have to pay restitution, according to court records. The Milwaukee County prosecutor was recommending 8 years in prison, but a judge sentenced Larson to 14 years in prison after hearing testimony from the victim's family members.

According to West Allis police, Larson was speeding and under the influence of alcohol when his pickup truck struck a Uber van driven by Sly-Lundasi in the 6000 block of W. Pierce in West Allis.

Larson had been drinking during the Brewers Opening Day in Milwaukee.

19-year-old Deceased Crash Victim Identified As Daryl Brown, Vehicle Split In Half On Impact

Brown was speeding when he lost control, hit a curve, the vehicle then rolled over and slammed into a tree causing the vehicle to split in half on impact.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 18, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Tuesday, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified Daryl Brown, 19, as the deceased victim involved in a vehicle crash near W. Fond du Lac and W. Roosevelt in the Northside of Milwaukee. According to the medical examiner's report, Brown was speeding in an excess of 75 miles per hour in a 30 MPH zone when he lost control of his Lexus around 4:00 p.m. on Monday and rolled over, then his vehicle struck a tree, which the impact split the vehicle in two. Brown died at the scene and an empty beer bottle was found under his body and a liquor bottle near the vehicle.

Brown was not wearing a seat belt at the time and he was driving without a valid license, according to police. Brown was the sole occupant in the vehicle.

The medical examiner ruled the death as an accident caused by blunt force trauma.

Milwaukee Police Commission Restores Protections For Undocumented Foreigners

Police officers in Milwaukee will not request legal status from foreigners when they come into contact while doing traffic stops, domestic calls and investigations.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 13, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, the Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) on a 7-0 vote decided to amend and restore the former Police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) protections for undocumented immigrants that prohibited police officers from asking for legal status, also provided an oversight and accountability for abuse including changing the rules to allow the F&PC to review any new policy from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) on time.

At City Hall in Milwaukee, hundreds of members of the Latino community, Voces de la Frontera (VDLF), a local LULAC Council, Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin and allies gathered at the Milwaukee F&PC hearing to support changes for the lack of transparency and information that Police Chief Edward Flynn and Mayor Tom Barrett failed to provide when they approved the MPD SOP on June 21, 2017 authorizing police officers to act like immigration agents and ask for legal status when in contact with suspected foreigners being stopped and investigated for certain violations and criminal histories. Police had been authorized to contact ICE to let them know where those with non-legal status were located. The MPD SOP policy went into effect on July 6th.

VDLF released the following press released, "Thursday's vote amended new MPD policies implemented on July 6th that had been passed with no community input or meaningful oversight by the F&PC, which is charged with overseeing significant changes to police procedures. The changes would have increased collaboration with immigration agents. The F&PC's vote followed public outcry after the changes were revealed. Voces de la Frontera, the League of Latin American Citizens - Wisconsin, and Aldmeran José Pérez worked with the Mayor's Office, the F&PC, and the MPD to ensure the protections were restored."

Mayor Barrett who had approved the MPD SOP policy along with Chief Flynn allowing cops to ask for legal status released the following statement after the F&PC amended the policy to restore undocumented foreigner protections and for police to use discretion in contacting ICE, but would first have to inform a police supervisor. Barrett stated, "I am pleased with the action taken tonight by the members of the Fire and Police Commission. The national changes to immigration policies and the tenor of the immigration debate have left many of us concerned about our Milwaukee neighbors and families. We cannot allow fear and apprehension to cloud the daily lives of people who have chosen Milwaukee as the place to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Milwaukee is a City built by immigrants and a City that continues to grow strong because of our immigrant population. I want to thank the Fire and Police Commission, Chief Flynn and Assistant Chief Harpole, State Representative JoCastaZamarripa, Alderman Jose Perez and members of Milwaukee’s Hispanic Community for tonight’s resolution."

Video: On Thursday, Luz Sosa, the community organizer for Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin translated in Spanish at the Fire and Police Commission (F&PC) hearing on Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure policy for the Latino Community. The policy was amended by the F&PC to restrict police officers from asking for legal status. https://youtu.be/3GqYH6UcGto

Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure For Immigration Enforcement Policy

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett betrayed the Latino community in the City of Milwaukee by approving new immigration enforcement duties for Milwaukee police officers, which will now act as immigration agents without training or partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 12, 2017

WI: The City of Milwaukee sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the June 21, 2017 approval by Police Chief Edward Flynn of policy for the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for immigration enforcement compliance. Policy went into effect on July 6, 2017.
MPD revised its SOP to comply with federal immigration laws and the September 2, 2016 USDOJ Byrne/JAG grant of $457,884.50 of its shared award of $937,932 for the City of Milwaukee, City of Waukesha and Milwaukee County. 

Article links: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Says It's Not Immigration Enforcement, But MPD Indicates It's Immigration Enforcement Strategy  http://bit.ly/2tqk433


Milwaukee Police Department Taking 8-months For U Visa Certification Involving Victims Of Crimes  http://bit.ly/2uYXAWd

(Source: Hispanic News Network U.S.A.)

Immigrant Friendly Resolution For Justice And Dignity Passed By Village Of Shorewood In Wisconsin

Shorewood Board voted unanimously to pass resolution to welcome everyone regardless of immigration status to the village.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 11, 2017 

Village of Shorewood, Wisconsin - The Board of the Village of Shorewood on Monday passed an immigrant friendly resolution on a 7-0 vote with added amendments of wording with local community support. Attorney Carlos R. Pastrana addressed the Shorewood Board and spoke in favor of the resolution.
"Resolution for Justice and Dignity" was sponsored by the Shorewood Solidarity Network, which included the support by members from Acción Ciudadana de Wisconsin, Shorewood residents and allies.

Full video of Village of Shorewood Board meeting regarding Resolution for Justice and Dignity at link: https://youtu.be/GKCNsQl8m4Y

Jose Luis Marquez-Marrero Charged With Four Felonies For Riverwest Crash Totaling Two Vehicles

Marquez-Marrero, the alleged driver of a stolen 2014 Camry who ran a red light and crashed into a 2011 Suburban is facing up to 57 years in prison, if convicted of four felony counts.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 10, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - Jose Luis Marquez-Marrero, 32, who was arrested for driving a stolen 2014 Camry and crashing into a 2011 Suburban while speeding and failing to stop at a red light in the Riverwest neighborhood in June is facing up to 57 years in prison and fines in total of $145,000, if convicted for four felony counts. Marquez-Marrero totaled both vehicles. 

Marquez-Marrero was charged on June 23 with four felony counts, 1st count, armed robbery with threat of force (40 years in prison and up to $100K in finrs); 2nd count, 2nd-degree endangering safety (10 years in prison and up to $25K in fines); 3rd count, vehicle operator fleeing and eluding an officer (3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10K in fines) and 4th count, driving vehicle without owner's consent (3 years and 6 months in prison and up to $10K in fines). 

Marquez-Marrero's bail was set at $25,000 and will appear in court for a scheduling conference on July 13 at 8:30 a.m., Milwaukee County Courthouse room 634, according to court records.

The stolen 2014 Camry was connected to the assault of its owner in Milwaukee's Southside. Two Latino men robbed the owner of the 2014 Camry who was parking his vehicle and also beat him, then stole his wallet and other items. 

The owner of the 2011 Suburban which was also totaled released photos to Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) of the crash scene and vehicles.

Milwaukee Police Department Taking 8-months For U Visa Certification Involving Victims Of Crimes

It shouldn't take 8-months for the Milwaukee Police Department to certify a U Visa request that a victim has cooperated in a criminal investigation.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 9, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - Today, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) in Wisconsin under Police Chief Edward Flynn takes up to 8-months for U Visa (Form I-918, U Nonimmigrant Status) request certification that a victim has aided an investigation of a crime. The delay to quickly certify such U Visa requests by the MPD could result in the deportation of a undocumented victims of a crime.

The U.S. Congress approved a U Visa for victims of a crime to cooperate in criminal investigations without fear of deportation. Sometimes the MPD has even denied U Visa certifications to victims of a crime, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) has learned.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Says It's Not Immigration Enforcement, But MPD Indicates It's Immigration Enforcement Strategy

Milwaukee Mayor Barrett's office released the Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure, which indicates it's an immigration enforcement strategy or in reality immigration persecution.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 5, 2017

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Wednesday, the Milwaukee mayor's office released the Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure (MPDSOP), which indicates a new policy initiative aimed at immigration enforcement without partnering with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program, according to Mayor Tom Barrett's press release. Barrett in a press release statement that "The City's policy has been and will continue to be that it does not enforce immigration laws. That is the role of the government...immigration enforcement is not part of that effort...Milwaukee will not seek to have its officers deputized to enforce immigration laws under the federal 287(g) program..."

The MPDSOP Policy (A) indicates that "It shall be the policy of the Milwaukee Police Department to implement an immigration enforcement strategy that is consistent with the mission for reducing the levels of crime, fear, and disorder in the city of Milwaukee."

Police will be allowed to seek legal status from suspected gang members, those arrested for a misdemeanor involving the possession of a dangerous weapon, a terrorism act, offense involving entry or fraudulent assimilation of undocumented foreigners into the country and a previous deported felon. Police can contact ICE and will turn over suspected individuals or immigrants to the feds.

The MPD says the SOP is targeted at reducing fear, but in reality it will cause fear from immigrants who will avoid any contact with police to report a crime for fear of being detained as undocumented foreigners and turned over to ICE for deportation. Also the MPDSOP opens the door for officers to illegally profile immigrants, and criminals will also target immigrants simply because they will believe such crimes committed against the undocumented, especially sexual assault of female immigrants won't be reported to police for fear of being detained and deported.

Mayor Barrett says it's not immigration enforcement, but according to the MPDSOP, it's immigration enforcement strategy, in other words the MPD will engage in immigration persecution, according to immigration rights activists.

A demonstration and press conference was held on Wednesday at City Hall by Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant and workers right organization, and the a local LULAC Council. They opposed the new MPDSOP policy.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) reported on Wednesday that Attorney Marisabel Cabrera who is also a Milwaukee Fire and Police Commissioner had stated that the city attorney had requested a MPDSOP policy change to comply with federal immigration laws. Cabrera wrote in an email to the MJS that, “This entire process has been intentionally secretive and undemocratic and completely undermines the (commission’s) statutorily granted powers,” Cabrera said in an email, “On top of that, it was an unnecessary and borderline malicious exercise as the (policy) was never out of compliance.”

Cabrera and other commissioners were informed that they would get an opportunity to review the policy before being implemented, but later Cabrera discovered that the policy had been already approved by the city attorney, Mayor Barrett and Police Chief Flynn. Steven DeVougas, the Chairman of the Fire and Police Commission had also signed it into policy without notifying the other 6 members of the commission, which Cabrera had questioned the lack of transparency process and legality.

Update: http://bit.ly/2szNElt Facebook video link for the July 7, German Sánchez interview with Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director from Voces de la Frontera (VDLF). Neumann-Ortiz told Sánchez during interview in minute 13:31 that Alderman José Pérez first learned about the MPD Standard Operating Procedure (MPDSOP) policy that authorized Milwaukee police officers to act as ICE agents 9 days before Wednesday's (July 5) press conference at City Hall and Ald. Pérez contacted Neumann-Ortiz and Darryl Morin from LULAC who began to negotiate with Mayor Tom Barrett a Democrat to withdraw the MPDSOP policy. They knew about the MPDSOP policy change the Monday before the Madison Rally against AB190/SB275 on June 28.
Also, the cities of Madison and Whitewater have similar SOP policies like Milwaukee.
Today, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) in Wisconsin under Police Chief Edward Flynn takes up to 8-months for U-Visa request certification that a victim has aided an investigation of a crime. The U.S. Congress approved a U-Visa for victims of a crime to cooperate in criminal investigations without fear of deportation. Sometimes the MPD has even denied U-Visa certifications to victims of a crime, Hispanic News Network U.S.A. has learned.

Here are all the links to documents and the City of Milwaukee letter sent to USDOJ on MPD SOP immigration enforcement policy provided courtesy of Voces de la Frontera http://bit.ly/2sNY2pT

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett And Police Chief Edward Flynn Become Anti-immigrant

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Edward Flynn conspired in closed doors for several months to revise the Milwaukee Police Standard Operating Procedures that will include federal immigration enforcement without actually partnering with ICE's 287g program.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

July 4, 2017

Milwaukee, WI - On Monday, it was learned that the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) would engage in enforcing federal immigration laws with the approval of Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Edward Flynn. Both Barrett and Flynn met in closed doors and decided to betray the Latino community after vowing that the MPD wouldn't engage in federal immigration enforcement and profiling. Why a sudden change of the MPD Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) policy, simply because MPD is hoping to get a U.S. Department of Justice grant for the department, but in order to get it, the department would have to enforce federal immigration laws in a partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). MPD officers will be allowed to call ICE and turn over suspected undocumented immigrants they encounter during traffic stops, crime and domestic investigations under Trump's Executive Order and if they fail to do so, federal funding would be cut. 

The State of California has challenged Trump's order and his threat to cut federal funding in a federal court, which the case is now pending. A U.S. District Court judge in San Francisco has blocked any withholding of federal funds to sanctuary cities until the case is heard in a federal court.

Voces de la Frontera (VDLF), an immigrant and workers rights organization sent out an email on late Sunday informing members of the community about the lack of transparency in the decision making by Mayor Barrett that resulted in a new federal immigration enforcement initiative that MPD will undertake. What VDLF didn't inform the Latino community was that it had the information for about a week before releasing it because MPD had invited certain members of the Latino community to discuss the change of SOP in the MPD. 

As usual, VDLF and those involved decided to provide the actual information about the change of the SOP to the main stream media (this time to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) first rather than the Latino media outlets in Milwaukee and the community it is actually going to effect. Most of the Latino and Spanish speaking community doesn't get its information from JSonline, but from the local Latino newsprint media, El Conquistador Newspaper, the Spanish Journal, El Periodico Mañanero including Hispanic News Network U.S.A. online.

VDLF relies on the Latino community for people numbers to generate mass demonstrations and protests including marches. Now, VDLF once again is seeking the support from the community to challenge MPD and Mayor Barrett's change of the SOP that will include immigration enforcement.

A united community can make a difference rather than a few individuals attempting to take on the status quo and its political machine that had excluded Latinos from participating for decades. The Latino community in the Southside is part of the City of Milwaukee and it generates a huge tax generated base in the millions than any other aldermanic district, which the City has lacked to reinvest into the area and as taxpayers, Latinos should be included than excluded in the well being and development of the City as a whole. Latinos in Milwaukee are stakeholders as well just in case Mayor Barrett has missed their large tax contributions to the City, which helps pay for his salary and the salary for Chief Flynn including his police force.

Here's the 3-page Milwaukee Police Department Standard Operating Procedure on immigration enforcement released by Mayor Barrett's office and will take effect on July 6, 2017.

Update: http://bit.ly/2szNElt Facebook video link for the July 7, German Sánchez interview with Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director from Voces de la Frontera (VDLF). Neumann-Ortiz told Sánchez during interview in minute 13:31 that Alderman José Pérez first learned about the MPD Standard Operating Procedure (MPDSOP) policy that authorized Milwaukee police officers to act as ICE agents 9 days before Wednesday's (July 5) press conference at City Hall and Ald. Pérez contacted Neumann-Ortiz and Darryl Morin from LULAC who began to negotiate with Mayor Tom Barrett a Democrat to withdraw the MPDSOP policy. They knew about the MPDSOP policy change the Monday before the Madison Rally against AB190/SB275 on June 28.