Ready, Fire, Aim! The Park Whallops A Legal Immigrant
By Greg L | 5 February 2009 | Manassas Park, Crime | 139 Comments
Manassas Park doesn’t seem to do much about the illegal aliens, but boy, do they sure give the legal residents a hard time. Here for eleven years, with a work permit and a driver’s license, this woman gets pulled over by one of the Park’s finest and ends up getting a beating. I think the Park confused a widow with one of the dozens of MS-13 gang-banging, drug dealing illegal alien child predators here that they seem to so consistently ignore, but I can’t possibly imagine how.
From WTOP:
“By the third time he told me to get out - I hadn’t gotten out because I was scared - he sprayed me with pepper spray,” Dominguez says.Dominguez says the officer kicked her and pulled her hair, then handcuffed and arrested her for resisting arrest. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for facial injures.
Granted, this person couldn’t communicate in English with the officer and that undoubtedly contributed to the situation, but police officers don’t open up a can of whoop-ass on someone who doesn’t sign a ticket at a routine traffic stop and has trouble communicating. That’s just so wrong. Or should I say professional police officers aren’t supposed to do this. We’re talking about the Park here.
This is the place that uses police to bully out of the town businesses run by people they don’t like, while they ignore other businesses that do things like have staff perform live sex acts on customers and host meetings of Hell’s Angels. If public safety was the reason for a police force, Manassas Park wouldn’t have someone like the officer involved in this incident running loose, someone who already had multiple disciplinary actions on his record for improper behavior at traffic stops. No, this is a posse in uniform used by the powers that be to enforce control over the city, and with an attitude like that in the force, that abuses like this happens is only surprising insofar as it took a beating on a victim so deserving of public sympathy as this to cause widespread outrage.
Let’s hope this causes someone to turn this department upside down and start shaking it until all the vermin hiding within it are dislodged.
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I saw the report on WJLA ABC NEWS 7 and found the report both disturbing and unbelievable. Regardless of what happened or how it happened, no one has the right to violate the rights of another person regardless of what their perception may be and this case clearly shows an abuse so over the top that this officer should be fired!
Yea, nothing like sensational reporting without understanding. Cops generally follow “Ask, Tell, Make” rule. They ask nicely, then tell you what to do then force you. She was told to get out of the car and refused and therefore some force was required to enforce the law. Cops may use force to enact compliance even if suspect is passively resisting contrary to all those cop shows you have been watching.
She was told what to do and refused to do it. Ticket is not “your guilty” it’s “Your required to come to court because I’m accusing you of doing X”. While it would have been nice if she understood everything that’s going on, it’s not required by Virginia.
Finally, 11 Years in US and doesn’t speak English? It’s common for officers to run into immigrants who have “selective English” (IE. They speak english when it’s convenient for them). Maybe the cop assumed that was case here or knew it was the case. If I moved to another country, I assume after 11 years, I would have basic understand of their language. Enough to understand what Police officer wants out me.
Really? Thumper, there’s nothing sensational about this…and it’s you that doesn’t understand. This officer is a bully and a coward. She was pulled over for a burned out headlight and ended up bloodied and beaten in an ambulance.
He has a history of conducting bogus pullovers. He tried that crap with me, and only because I was a high profile citizen (and I complained in writing) did he face any discplinary measure at all. Abusing people either physically or with his authority defines him as a bully.
One night I witnessed a violent deranged 6′4” 250 pound man threaten to kill this officer and everyone else around him. That man should have been handcuffed and taken to jail. This officer took no action at all. It was a stand off. I intervened and calmed the suicidal man. Eventually his family and I talked him into going home.
I’m not saying the officer did the wrong thing. He would have almost certainly been hurt by this man who was twice his size. But, had this person been a little hispanic widow I believe the result would have been to “make” her. And that’s the difference that defines him a coward.
4 years ago I asked this officer if he could be counted on to do the right thing. He responded, “I’ll do my job.” and walked away.
This episode shows the ethic that is instilled in The “Super Secret” Gang within that department.
He really is just doing his job.
PS: He gave her a real ticket for having a headlight out, instead of a friendly warning? Honestly, Who does that?!
(Next we’ll be hearing he thought she had a weapon……losers)
Thumper makes some very valid points. In the US for 11 years and doesn’t understand or speak English? Give me a break!!!!!!!!!
Yup - I’m with Thumper on this one.
The report I heard on WTOP and in writing indicated she didn’t have her drivers license on her at the time. I believe he could have given her more trouble for that than the light, but instead was only going to ticket her for the light. It sounds to me like he was giving her a break. The write up states the she told the officer this and that. Funny, she could speak English but couldn’t understand the simple process of getting a ticket in English? Sorry folks, I thinks there’s more to this story than she’s telling, in Spanish or English. Eleven years and doesn’t understand anything? So there’s this other country located within Manassas Park that I’ve never heard of?
You should know,
So what you’re advocating is that if people just pretend to not understand a police officer when pulled over, then they should just be allowed to go on their way. No ticket, no conversation, no warning, no documenting of a violation, no nothing, because if she managed just that, then word would spread through the underground community and they would all be using the tactic. Think about it!
It’s wrong.
Not trying to trivialize it, but now at least she’ll be able to keep her house. This will be worth a few bucks.
You should know,
I am going to give the benifit of the doubt to the officer, until convinced otherwise. I sure do wish I was a big important person in the community like you who is “high profile” and can handle a big 250lb man! You sure like yourself don’t you? Too bad you are a coward and can’t use your real name.
I’m with the officer on this one, have to be. 11 years and no english. Eventually when you dont cooperate with the officer (english or no english) you get the standard treatment regardless. The story I saw showed she could produce no license, has that changed? She was cited for driving with no license and resisting arrest. I’ve seen multiple stories of people banging their heads against the hood of cop cars and inflicting injury on themselves saying the cop did it, etc.
I agree with Thumper. Eleven years in the country and not speaking English or understanding it? That’s a reach, she understood what the Officer wanted. I’d like to see the dash video if there is one. This officer is a LT so I assume he’s pretty senior in the dept.
How does this woman communicate with her children’s teachers at conferences? Does MP provide interpreters to these things?
I also agree with Thumper. She has been in this country for 11 years. She is legally here with a green card. She doesn’t speak English so she didn’t understand the officer. She didn’t have her driver’s license. She resisted arrest.
He was following procedures and doing his job. There are procedures for a reason, and it is illegal to drive without your license.
It does not surprise me that this happened in Manassas Park. Those I know in the LE community speak poorly of the MPPD and Dumfries PD. They say that these two forces are chock full of the cast-offs from other area departments, or really green officers who did so poorly at the academy that MP or Dumfries were the only jobs they could get.
I know, I know, we should wait for the facts of the investigation, right? Well, Greg has done a great job of documenting the piss-poor job MPPD does self-policing or how fair “internal investigations” are. If an outside agency, say the State Police did the investigation, I might buy the results.
Fyi , City is planning to cut 61 positions in the city.
Starting with the officer in question.
I agree that the language issue is shameful, but I do not agree that it is necessarily the fault of the lady in question.
When my parents and I came to this country (as I have said before, I am a Naturalized Citizen), we did not come with the expectation that it was the responsibility of this country to provide language services, or any services for that matter…and the country did not. Consequently, my parents came here with a grasp of the English language and I was bi-lingual by the age of three. Thanks, however, to our nanny state today it is unnecessary, and subsequently more difficult for, particularly Spanish-speaking, immigrants to learn the English language. Everything is provided in Spanish, and it is well-known in the Spanish-speaking countries that this is the case.
Anyone who has ever traveled in foreign countries is well aware that necessity makes it far easier to pick up a foreign language, and offers a great deal of incentive to do so. This government policy of treating our Hispanic population as retarded children is doing them no favor. The REAL issue here is the behavior of that police officer…and I concur fully that he is the epitome of a bully and has no business on ANY police force.
Thumper said on 5 Feb 2009 at 1:05 am: Flag comment
Finally, 11 Years in US and doesn’t speak English? It’s common for officers to run into immigrants who have “selective English” (IE. They speak english when it’s convenient for them). Maybe the cop assumed that was case here or knew it was the case. If I moved to another country, I assume after 11 years, I would have basic understand of their language. Enough to understand what Police officer wants out me.
I fully agree with you at this point, Thumper. Isn’t it funny that she has made the rounds of the TV and radio stations? Does that sound “normal?” Either someone is putting her up to this or she is really “savvy” and is looking for a big payout. 11 years in this country and can’t speak English? Let’s let the investigation run it’s course and see what the “real” story is here. At this point, I think I would take the police officer’s side.
Those of you commenting in support of a Manassas Park Police officer obviously know nothing of that particular police force. My involvement in the recent travesty know as the “Rack N’ Roll” affair has convinced me that this officer is more the rule than the exception. Although there are, or have been, a handful of officers there who are the exception…they try to transfer as soon as possible.
Do Manassas Park Police cars have cameras installed? That would easily prove one side over the other.
“Although there are, or have been, a handful of officers there who are the exception…they try to transfer as soon as possible.”
Would you say that there is a “culture of corruption” there?
Reminds me of the time I was stopped and man-handled a little by one of Omar Torrijos’ finest in Panama. At a routine checkpoint, he asked in English I had any “arms.” I rolled my sleeves up on my guayabera and said in Spanish, “Only these.” Dude couldn’t take a joke.
The point is, when you’re living in another country, it behooves you to learn the language and abide by the rules. Otherwise, misunderstandings occur.
anonymous said on 5 Feb 2009 at 11:30 am:
“Would you say that there is a “culture of corruption” there?”
In my opinion, from my observation over the past few years…yes.
As stated by others - Am skeptical of her being in this Country 11 years and not being able to speak English.
Also in the WTOP blurb it said “At the time, Dominguez was on her way to a meeting with a mortgage broker who was helping to save her house from foreclosure.”
I think it’s a ploy on her part to raise funds. With some assistance from someone else, they designed this plan and implemented it.
Hope it is exposed; hope it fails!
She’s looking for a check. She should have just slipped on the ice at City Hall or walked out in front of a city-owned vehicle. Resisting arrest, no “licensio” and no english? C’mon.
Unfortunately, when a force or specific officer have less than a stellar reputation, they make it easy for con artists like her. It’s part of their “culture”. Who wants to bet that she had no insurance?
She didn’t have a license. Why should she have insurance? Isn’t this one of Colgan’s friends? She probably figures she has absolute immunity as a result.
Hmm. Reading this again and thinking about this, I want to hear more details. It seems she basically refused to sign the summons because she felt entitled to a translator. That is a right I don’t believe that she does or should have. The officer then had two choices - to arrest her or to let heer walk away because she was playing dumb on speaking English. And of those two I believe he made the right choice.
Dang folks, what’s with all this anger directed at the victim here? Yeah, I’m none too impressed with the eleven year stay and no functional English skills, but this person was a licensed driver and a legal resident. She got the snot beat out of her. She didn’t deserve it one bit, and I’m similarly unimpressed with the baseless speculation by some that her suffering was to cover an attempt on her part to commit fraud. It really doesn’t reflect well on those who do this.
You got evidence she was trying to commit a crime? Pony it up.
She is facing foreclosure on her home, and was on her way to a meeting to try to avoid foreclosure. In view of her financial situation, we should view her claim with skepticism. She desperately need a large amount of cash, and when the officer pulled her over it’s possible that she saw the opportunity for a payday and made up the claim.
Greg asked for evidence of a crime. I’m asking for the same. We have her word against the officer’s, and that’s not proof. If the officer committed an act of brutality, then where is the evidence? The arrest took place at Mathis Ave and Manassas Dr, one of the busiest intersections in the Park. So where is even one independent witness? Someone surely saw something if the abuse did indeed take place.
As for having a license, she says she has one but didn’t have it with her. It’s a basic piece of plastic to have with when you drive, but she had an additional reason to carry the license that day. If she was going to attempt a refinance or any other deal involving credit, the creditor will want her license number, or may even want to make of copy of her license. That tells me that she may not have one.
At any rate the Manassas Park Police Press Release says the following:
Date of Release: 020409
Type of Offense: Resist Arrest
Dates of Occurrence: 020209 1828
Location: Manassas Drive/ Mathis Avenue
Vehicles Involved:
Suspects:
Arrests:
A traffic stop was initiated, at the intersection of Manassas Drive and Mathis Avenue, on a vehicle with defective equipment. The female operator of the vehicle was arrested for Defective Equipment, No Drivers License in Possession, and Resisting Arrest after refusing to sign the traffic summons. The officer and the suspect sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident. The female operator was treated at Prince William Hospital and released. A court date of March 12, 2009, is pending. An internal investigation will be conducted into the incident
“The female operator was treated at Prince William Hospital and released.”
That, in and of itself, is indicative of totally uncalled for behavior on the part of the officer, for a traffic stop that would ordinarily not even result in a ticket! I agree with Greg, although I would put it more strongly…there’s a lot of bigotry showing right now from some people commenting here. Of course the biggest bigot in this story is that police officer.
Greg L said on 5 Feb 2009 at 2:51 pm: Flag comment
You got evidence she was trying to commit a crime? Pony it up.
About as much evidence that she was beaten for no reason by a law enforcement officer. He would have to be “crazy” to attempt to pull off something like that and not expect and investigation. If need be, the state police has a good track record with independent investigations. She “forgot” her license? Doesn’t wash. Maybe a good case for 287-G to get some answers. Social Security cards and green cards are a dime-a-dozen.
Chuckie said on 5 Feb 2009 at 2:32 pm: Flag comment
She didn’t have a license. Why should she have insurance? Isn’t this one of Colgan’s friends? She probably figures she has absolute immunity as a result.
Maybe she was trying to get arrested so she could make her one phone call to the good Senator.
Anonymous, I repeat my earlier observation…you obviously know nothing about the Manassas Park police department. There would have been no investigation if that officer had not injured her sufficiently to have someone transport her to the hospital. I guarantee you, it wasn’t that police officer!
Her injuries came about because she resisted being arrested - as I understand it. To make the arrest, is not the officer legally allowed to use whatever force is necessary?
And maybe, just maybe she deliberately resisted as much as she did because she knew that she would have more and greater physical injuries to show the world. And, I am sure she knows that there is the ACLU and many other lawyers out there that will be thrilled to take up her cause.
No drivers license? Is this actually an offense that one can be charged with?
My son was in an accident, that was not his fault, and the lady who hit him did not have her dirvers license on her at the time and nothing happened to her. the officer on the scene told him she gave him her drivers license number. Hopefully he verified that number she gave him.
In the country for 11 years and still cannot speak English? More evidence that assimilation is NOT the goal with many who come here for the American dream nor is becoming a naturalized citizen a priority.
Office Rupert Prinz (the arresting Officer according to WTOP) speaks Spanish. The unanswered question here is why did he not communicate in Spanish and avoid this situation entirely? I agree that Ms. Dominguez should speak at least some English after 11 years in our country, but that is not the issue. The issue is why did Officer Prinz choose not to communicate in Spanish if he was capable and create a problem when there should not have been one. It appears that some of the people who commented choose to deflect from the real issue (excessive force) into an unrelated pet peeve about immigrants who cannot speak English. For all of you that are in favor of this beating, remember, this could be you, your wife, kid, or friend. It is not about speaking English. There is a problem and it must be corrected! There are police procedures that are supposed to be followed and they are clearly not being followed in this case. I hope the Archie Bunker clones out there can understand this.
Also, there are four cameras at that light which would clearly show the sequence of events.
I don’t think she has any case. She refused to sign the summons and then refused to get out of the car. By her own admission she understood both things that he was asking of her. But she felt she was entitled to a translator.
Elsa, driving without your license on you (assuming of course you have one “on file” but you left it at home is usually a civil fine of $35+ court costs. Might’ve gone up recently but it’s a no-points fine.
The arrestable offense is not signing the summons. But, I’m surprised that the officer didn’t call in a supervisor or another officer to back him up on the arrest.
My guess is that DoJ will investigate to see if her civil rights were violated by the officer while the MPPD performs there own internal investigation.
Does anyone know if MPPD has tasers? Also wondering why one wasn’t deployed in this instance - especially if she was, as the officer claims, resisting.
My mind isn’t made up - and it shouldn’t be at this point not enough information - I’d like to see/hear more about it before passing my own judgement.
Both the officer and the suspect/victim are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Remember back in the RackNRoll days we were asking for the AG, the State Police, or the FBI to get involved here? Whatever the hell happened with that? Looks like nothing at all while the rot remains in Manassas Park. Kind of like the SEC watching over Wall Street. This is pathetic.
3 points:
1) Manassas Park is becoming the 3rd World, especially since it is now a place where you must fear the police and government officials just as much as any street criminal you may encounter.
2) If there was a dash-cam video and it shows the officer in question at fault, I’m sure it has mysteriously disappeared by now.
3) Some of these Anonymous comments blaming the victim I’m sure have IP adresses from Manassas Park City offices.
I’ve seen enough things in Manassas Park the last few years to make these statements with confidence.
I’m hearing she works as a manager at a McDonalds? And can speak English well enough to hold that job?
And that her brother who speaks perfect English was next to her when this happened?
It’s becoming obvious that this is a manufactured event by people with an agenda. Trying to intimidate local officials.
A right to an interpreter for a simple summons? I don’t think so. Not on my tax dollar.
If she speaks English well enough to take a job away from some other American - and well enough for some bank here to finance a mortgage for her - she speaks it well enough to know what was going on.
You better believe MPPD has tasers. I think that they get them from Hasbro, judging by the way that they are used. It appears that the MPPD now uses tasers instead of reading Miranda rights - but that is another post (a little foreshadowing maybe?)
Sorry TV, but this wouldn’t happen to any in my family because they have the common sense not to get arrested over a simple traffic violation. I get the feeling that the woman had something to hide, and therefore didn’t want to sign any traceable documents, unless of course she was hoping for a confrontation after which she would play the victim and sue. Weren’t there witnesses, besides her friends of course, that may have seen the action unfold?
When an Officer gives directions and they are not followed, chances greatly move towards action, including physical action. This is a good example of a person resisting the law by not following directions given by an Officer. Everyone needs to respect the officers and the job the perform daily, this means following directions. The notion that a person can claim ignorance and sit in the car is ridiculous. Also, if she could not understand him, and the necessary rules of conduct when pulled over, she should have her license taken away until she speaks enough English to request it back and passes a drivers test in English. Obey the law and the persons enforcing it, & no problems.
I don’t think you need to be a psychiatrist to figure out her state of mind. She was being foreclosed. She had been tricked into signing a bad loan and feels the system is against her. So she didn’t want to sign the summons.
And apparently her brother agreed with her? They thought they had a right to a translator?
I love TV, if you are speaking of the four cameras on the traffic lights then you would be incorrect. Since MP has never been approved to use red light cameras, none exist in MP. However, having helped formerly in the City of Manassas with traffic lights, they are most likely sensors to change the lights. It is quite common to place the sensors on the lights rather than in the pavement. However, if you are speaking of cameras in specific stores or other places that you know about, then I sincerely apologize. It is amazing how people have got on here and taken a side either way, why don’t we all allow the investigation to finiish and then allow her lawsuit take place, as I am sure she will do and then form an opinion. My worse fear as a MP citizen is she will sue and then MP will settle just to settle even if the LEO did nothing wrong. Remember, this could have been avoided if she had simply signed the ticket. I don’t care if she didn’t understand english, in todays time it is hard for me to believe that anyone is not aware that signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt but rather a promise to show up for court. But I will hold my opinion until it all unfolds. In addition, I have a lot of interaction with MP police and they have always been professional. Especially Major Matthews, he is as professional as any officer I know. Now as far as the elected officals, excluding the new members, they are as crooked as any I know.
“Also, there are four cameras at that light which would clearly show the sequence of events.”
Those cameras are used for traffic detection only, are aimed at the street, and aren’t recorded. On top of that, they’re not high-resolution cameras (think “SDTV”, not “HDTV”).
Red light cameras are typically film cameras, and as noted, Manassas Park doesn’t have any.
I fully agree that something went on that we are not privy to. My only point was that a language barrier was not the issue. We need to know what the issue was - officer misconduct or truly a woman resisting arrest.
FormerCOMemployee:
I have reliable information that there ARE video cameras there at the light, not just sensors. The police station does have a full video monitoring station. I do not want some folly of a lawsuit by a woman to become a great payday any more than you do. And I don’t imply that all Manassas Park officers could have starred in the “Big Easy”. I agree that an investigation is necessary and that we need additional information. Don’t you agree that the supposed language barrier is suspect?
Also from the WTOP article ……..”Dominguez refused to sign the ticket.”
and…
“Virginia state law requires an officer to arrest anyone who refuses to sign a ticket.”
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=600&sid=1593302
You can go to court to debate the ticket, meantime just keep your mouth shut and let the officer do their job, sign the ticket and go about your business.
The fact that the individual wanted the encounter on her terms shows the typical disrespect for the system by many people both domestic and imported.
Gnarly, 1. While MP has many problems it is far from a third world environment. A lot of the housing on the old side has been upgraded, there is a new police station, although probably a little much for MP, new schools, a new fire station, and by the way, the only all paid completely career staffed fire department in the area. The new side has a beautiful park complete with athletic fields, walking trails, pavillion, playground, picnic area and a great water park. The housing is new and modern. Now, because our elected officials have no idea how to manage a City we are paying for it dearly, but it is a far cry from a third world country. 2. And you know the video would be missing how? Are you a fortune teller? 3. I am sure Greg would have all ready told us if any of the IP addresses belonged to a MP computer, I would hope. because I would like to know if the people I am paying are doing this on the computers I helped pay for. But why don’t you just ask Greg?
In short Gnarly and everyone else bad mouthing MP who doesn’t live here, you have no clue of a close knit community this really is. Attend a Friday night football game, a lot of the people who attend don’t have a child in the school let alone on the team. Our wrestling team is one of the most dominant sports teams in the PWC area rivaled only by the former Hylton footbal teams. Sorry for spouting off on here, but I raised two great children by myself as a single father and can say without the support of people (employees) at the community center, schools when my children didn’t understand why their mother wasn’t home and other people who just wanted to ensure we were ok, then I don’t know that I would have been able to raise two by myself. Yes, I am happy for the most part with living her in MP.
Citizen 12, I can assure you without a doubt, there are no camers at that intersection and would even be willing to place a friendly dinner bet if i am wrong.
Sorry citizen 12 that was meant for I love TV so the dinner bet is off with you
Also yes I love tv, with my previous employment I have found that excuse is used a lot.
“are aimed at the street”
To clarify: They are fixed cameras, they do not have pan/tilt/zoom like a surveillance camera does. So however they are aimed is how they are aimed, the aim cannot be changed (at least not without a bucket truck).
Since this apparently happened in the parking lot, I expect that would be out of the field of view of the cameras. A proper traffic detection camera installation minimizes the field of view to only that which is essential to the operation of the camera.
This is insane. Has anybody else here ever left home not realizing that one of their car lights was out? Has anybody ever left their driver’s license home by accident before? Has anybody here ever then been pulled over by a policeman who then merely warned them to correct whatever problem there might be? Look at that woman’s face in the picture above…she was beaten! I’m sorry, those do not strike me as the injuries that a woman would receive in this situation, even if she was resisting arrest. As I said, these comments are as bigoted as the comments which come from the other side of the immigration issue can often be. If it weren’t so sad, the logic around here would be laughable, particularly if you’re believing that anything would come of an internal investigation in the Manassas Park Police Department.
Mr. Leeper, it is not a camera and does not produce images. It only picks up movement in order to change the light during light traffic times. Which by the way, they need at the lights at Manassas Drive and Andrew Drive and The entrance to the VRE station. It sucks getting caught by that light at 10 p.m. when no car is at the intersecting street.
FormerCOMemployee,
First of all, you have no idea where I’m from, where I grew up, or where I live, so that part of your comment was irrelevant. Also, what are you implying in your post is, “you outsiders follow your silly rule of law and that crazy Constitution, but as for here, we’ll do it our way?.” Yes…I know you didn’t say that…I’m just following your backwards logic.
Secondly, the 3rd world has those nice places for children to play and great sports teams for them. What they ALSO have is corrupt government officials who are not accountable to ANYONE and most thinking citizens should fear that.
To all Manassas Park citizens who see what’s wrong with this picture….Wake UP!! Take back your increasingly crooked and fearless government!!
Gnarly, I never said you didn’t live in MP. I included you with all the naysayers who don’t live here. Maybe I shouldn’t have wrote it that way. But I still stand by everything I wrote. I clearly didn’t take sides. In fact I clearly said let it all play out. Second, the use of third world in most people minds does not usually deal with the gov’t, but rather the countries resources and third world countries are not associated with the nice amentities found in MP. However, I completely agree with you in regards to the crooked MP polititions and MP citizens should stand up and take it back or unfortunately we will all suffer with what we voted for. It is my hope the new members will change the attitude. But based on the use of ‘your …. government”, I assume you are not a resident of MP.
The best way for law enforcement to handle problems like this, is to have the same policy as the Prince William County Sheriff’s Offfice. If you see a violation of the law, look the other way. The problem goes away and you don’t have to get involved.
funny but sad but all too true. Has Chief Deane managed to codify that philosophy into an official policy document yet?
“Mr. Leeper, it is not a camera and does not produce images. It only picks up movement in order to change the light during light traffic times. Which by the way, they need at the lights at Manassas Drive and Andrew Drive and The entrance to the VRE station. It sucks getting caught by that light at 10 p.m. when no car is at the intersecting street.”
It is a camera (specifically, an NTSC video camera–which produces a standard analog TV signal). The images are fed into a computer that digitizes the analog NTSC signal and processes it with image recognition software to signal the traffic controller whether there is a vehicle present or not.
The intersections you mention have the same video detection system on them (and have had it since the signals were installed) although there have been problems with the detection that were corrected within the last few months at RR drive, and about a year prior at Andrew. (I send an email to the public works director whenever I notice a problem with a traffic signal in MP.)
As far as I’m aware both of the intersections you mentioned are operating properly, although they give priority to Manassas Drive and will only give a green to the side street when both no cars are present in the detection area on Manassas Drive AND there is a car present in the detection area on the side street.
From my observation, the detection area seems to extend from the stop line to about 30 feet back.
Back to what I think was the original topic, although it is technically possible to feed the video signal from these cameras to the police station, I do not believe it is being done because the infrastructure needed to carry a video signal from those cameras to the police station is not there.
It will–possibly–be there if/when MP installs fiber between all of the traffic signal controllers (a $200,000 project to be completed sometime in 2010–see the agenda for this week’s Planning Commission Meeting). Then that fiber could be used to carry the video signals. But it is not there now.
As I said, the camera is not producing a picture. However, I will tell you two weeks ago I got caught by a light at RR dr. at about 9:30 p.m. and there was no car present at the side street and no cars on MP drive. I was the lone car heading into Blooms. I will also tell you, those intersections have always stopped traffic for no reason on MP drive late at night since they were installed and continue to do so as late as two weeks ago. I also see no reason why we are paying a single dime to power flashing lights at digital drive, but that is another story. I know this is probably not the proper place to discuss this, are you considering running again. I hope so. We need some new people. Contact me at fyreman1@live.com for any assistance you may need.
AWCheney,
I know this is going to tick some off, but how do you know that the marks on the woman’s face were caused by the police officer? You’re assuming as much about what happened as the rest of us. I just find it hard to believe that someone could get a valid drivers license without knowing about police procedures when stopped. Isn’t that part of driver education in order to get a license?
“Has anybody else here ever left home not realizing that one of their car lights was out?”
You’re right. Normally, that is something you would get a warning for.
“Look at that woman’s face in the picture above…she was beaten! I’m sorry, those do not strike me as the injuries that a woman would receive in this situation, even if she was resisting arrest.”
It’s pretty obvious to me that this situation escalated out of control. All this, over a blown headlight bulb?
If she wanted a translator, one should have been provided for her. That’s a lot cheaper than a lawsuit.
Mr. Leeper, I will disagree with you there, have you ever fallen on the road? She admitted to not signing the ticket. She admitted to not getting out of the car, and most important, not because she didn’t understand, but because she was scared. Which would mean she understood the command, ( wow, maybe MP should hire me to defend them in the upcoming lawsuit.) I was actually written a ticket for a burned out tail light and it was dismised when I went to court and provided evidence I had it repaired. In addition, she didn’t say she requested a translator. Now, I will admit, someone stated Ofc. Prinz speaks spanish, if he does and didn’t do so, I would say that is a problem. But I will state it again, she flat out admits she refused to sign the ticket and refused to get out of the car. I can see how while the officer was forcibly removing someone from the vehicle they could fall and hit the ground and become scraped.
“As I said, the camera is not producing a picture.”
Only by virtue of the fact that there’s no monitor or TV connected to it. They do connect a monitor to it when they’re defining detection zones. Basically they use a mouse to draw a rectangle on the image of the street defining each detection zone. For a simple intersection you might two detection zones per camera–one for straight-thru traffic and one for left-turn traffic, with one camera per approach. Each detection zone corresponds to a detector input on the signal controller. These inputs are simply binary, on/off, voltage/no voltage inputs, which are on when there’s a car present and off when there is no car present.
“However, I will tell you two weeks ago I got caught by a light at RR dr. at about 9:30 p.m. and there was no car present at the side street and no cars on MP drive. I was the lone car heading into Blooms. I will also tell you, those intersections have always stopped traffic for no reason on MP drive late at night since they were installed and continue to do so as late as two weeks ago.”
Video detection has some problems. VDOT doesn’t use it in Northern VA except at temporary intersections (like Willard Rd. on 28) because they do not believe it is as accurate as the in-pavement loop detectors. This is based on a conversation I had with a VDOT traffic engineer.
One of the biggest problems with video detection is false detection, where it detects a car when there isn’t one. This can be caused by:
1)Movement of the camera since it was installed and the detection zones set, so now the detection zones are off and perhaps the left-turn zone is now overlaying a thru-lane, which would cause false left-turn detections as cars pass in the thru-lane.
2)Dirty camera lenses which obscure the image (they should be cleaned on a regular basis)
3)Glare from headlights on the pavement which is detected as a vehicle (most obvious at night).
I can tell you that at one point, the signal at RR drive would give a green to RR drive just from me walking past it (across RR drive). That problem seems to have been fixed.
Video detection has been touted as a panacea for the problems of loop detectors, but from what I have seen–since they have been widely deployed in Manassas and Manassas Park–I am not so sure.
Then again, it is often hard to differentiate problems with the technology from problems with the implementation.
“I also see no reason why we are paying a single dime to power flashing lights at digital drive, but that is another story.”
Here’s what I know:
1)There isn’t enough traffic to justify activating that signal
2)If they weren’t flashing the signal heads would have to be covered with a trash bag or something similar.
3)The signal heads should be LED and therefore not use very much power
4)A flashing signal theoretically provides a greater measure of safety to that intersection by making Manassas Drive traffic aware of it’s existence.
It is not generally words which frighten people the most, it is threatening postures and actions. From all accounts, this man is a bully…just hope you don’t run into him on a dark road one night.
Anonymous said on 5 Feb 2009 at 8:28 pm: Flag comment
“The best way for law enforcement to handle problems like this, is to have the same policy as the Prince William County Sheriff’s Offfice. If you see a violation of the law, look the other way. The problem goes away and you don’t have to get involved.”
BothPartiesColludeAgainstUs said on 5 Feb 2009 at 8:33 pm: Flag comment
“funny but sad but all too true. Has Chief Deane managed to codify that philosophy into an official policy document yet?”
You know Sheriff Hill is Chief Deane’s puppet and does whatever the chief tells him to do.
According to WTOP:
‘ “I told him I wanted someone speaking in Spanish before I signed [the ticket] because I didn’t know what I was being pulled over for,” says Dominguez, who still has bruises on her face and arms. ‘
If this is true, then someone who spoke Spanish should have been there to explain to her what she was being pulled over for, especially as I’m fairly certain that MPPD has several people who could have assisted with that.
“Mr. Leeper, I will disagree with you there, have you ever fallen on the road?”
The few times I’ve come close, I’ve broken the fall with the palm of my hand. She looks like she fell face-first, if she indeed fell.
Unfortunatly, the possibility exists that if Jackson Miller’s bill mandating arrest for Class 1/2 misdemeanors passes we’ll see a lot more of these events occuring.
For a non-violent offender where you have a reasonable belief that s/he won’t flee the jurisdiction… why didn’t he just issue out a summons with a /refused to sign/ on the signature.
Does it serve the people of Virginia well to arrest a person for not signing a civil summons? That unit would’ve been out of service for awhile and the suspect would’ve been processed in the ADC requiring more resources/time to be spent - all when a simple summons would’ve done the same thing without the expense.
I just don’t think this is the wisest course in terms of the use of the publics money and our governmental resources.
Lest we forget, both are innocent until proven guilty though.
“For a non-violent offender where you have a reasonable belief that s/he won’t flee the jurisdiction… why didn’t he just issue out a summons with a /refused to sign/ on the signature.”
Because of this, in § 19.2-74
“Any person refusing to give such written promise to appear under the provisions of this section shall be taken immediately by the arresting or other police officer before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction, who shall proceed according to provisions of § 19.2-82.”
The officer has no choice in the matter, the law says that they have to arrest someone who won’t sign the summons.
Didn’t this all take place in broad daylight?
Yup, I know that section of the code. I can see that on a misdemenor but on a civil traffic fine? ..government run amok.
Mr. Leeper, while I agree if she asked for one she should have been provided one, if available. But I am not ready to convict this LEO this early. Also, I said this before, the idea that someone in this day and times doesn’t know that signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt, but rather a promise to show up for court, is amazing to me. I kind of equate it in a way to people now a days who try to use the old, they didn’t read me my rights as an excuse to have an admission thrown out. In todays society you would have to have your head in the sand to not know your rights. I am not saying that you shouldn’t have your rights read to you just comparing the two as you must be from another country not to know these facts, Oh wait a minute, she is from another country. Anyway, respect your opinion, just hope you keep your mind open to accept maybe this officer did nothing wrong, but maybe he did. I guess both of us will know soon.
Not likely, Anonymous…seeing as the the issue here is a non-functioning headlight.
Anchor,
She was guilty, guilty of not obeying the officer in the first place. The procedure called for the arrest. Blame the procedure not the person responsible for carrying it out. That’s like blaming the troops for the governments bad decisions.
Anonymous 9:48, very nice post, couldn’t have said it better myself. Unfortunately, people get hurt when they resist arrest. I would really like to know if the LEO speaks spanish. Anyone?
“Dominguez says the officer kicked her and pulled her hair, then handcuffed and arrested her for resisting arrest. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for facial injures. ”
Nothing in the article to indicate she was beaten or punched. And the writer, not her, indicated she was treated for facial injuries. For all we know most or all of what we see in the photo is old scars or a previous injury.
We have just enough information to ask …..If her name was Smith or Jones would this be getting the national coverage it is now?
Rember this is WTOP here…..
why no photo of the victim in this article?
Woman claims police brutality; sues for $10M
July 10, 2008 - 1:52pm
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1438003
Or..perhaps not.
That section seems only to cover summons for misdemeanors. I do not see where it could be applied to a summons for an infraction.
An equipment violation is an infraction, as is driving without a license.
Charge:
DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT GEN/LB
Code Section:
46.2-1003
Case Type:
Infraction
Charge:
NO LIC IN POSSESSION/ LB
Code Section:
46.2-104
Case Type:
Infraction
The cases are filed under:
Defendant:
DOMINGUEZ DE FLORES, AGUEDA DE
I had to search by date to find them.
There is also, of course, the charge resisting arrest, which is a misdemeanor.
I do not know enough to know about traffic citations, but if I issue a summons for a fire code violation, which is a class 1 misdemeanor, then they have to sign, or they are taken into custody and go to the magistrate. Not positive, but I believe any traffic infraction is written on a VA Uniform Summons which has the generic statement “signing is not an admission of guilt but a promis…” or something to that effect.
Anchor Baby said on 5 Feb 2009 at 9:45 pm: Flag comment
Yup, I know that section of the code. I can see that on a misdemenor but on a civil traffic fine? ..government run amok.
AB - I found this in Virginia Title 46.2 — MOTOR VEHICLES
B. In the absence of the motorist’s written promise, the officer shall proceed according to the provisions of § 46.2-940
46.2-940. When arresting officer shall take person before issuing authority.
If any person is: ……………. or (iii) refuses to give a written promise to appear under the provisions of § 46.2-936 or § 46.2-945, the arresting officer shall promptly take him before a magistrate or other issuing authority having jurisdiction and proceed in accordance with the provisions of § 19.2-82. The magistrate or other authority may issue either a summons or warrant as he shall determine proper.
Virginia - since 1607 …….resolving community issues for over 402 years
Mr. Leeper, if a person refuses to sign a summons, they must be arrested and brought before a magistrate where they will be either released on a bond (after signing a promise to appear) or else they will be jailed and in front of a judge the next morning. The officer MUST bring them to the magistrate.
Citizen12,
Love the tagline!!!
12citizens,
Thank you–I was looking for that section of code which would apply to an infraction, but I didn’t find it using the search terms that I did. (I was looking for “uniform summons”).
Sorry, that comment was for Citizen12.
“Not positive, but I believe any traffic infraction is written on a VA Uniform Summons which has the generic statement “signing is not an admission of guilt but a promis…” or something to that effect.”
Yes, it is, and I believe it does say that.
MP like alot of jurisdictions is having man power problems due to budget problems. A Spanish Interpreter may have not been available and you cannot hold someone at traffic stop willing or not to wait for someone to clear up. That ties up that cop and another cop and there are other calls to take care of. My guess is officer thought she understood well enough to explain to her she need a driver license while driving and he was writing her a “warning” ticket for light out instead of No OL and signing the ticket meant she was going to come to court or pay the fine (plead guilty) and she decided to screw with him further by demanding an interpurter thinking she had that right.
Also, her injuries look bad but uses of forces never look pretty. Cops do not play around, they do not politely push people. If they have to use force to ensure compliance, they are trained to use it quickly and violently to prevent further injury and bring around compliance. I know it sounds wrong but people get hurt worse by officers not using enough force when required.
I don’t know what happened. That will get sorted out in court, most likely. But I do find it interesting how many commenters treat the woman’s poor English skills as a mitigating factor for the arresting officer. I suspect many of you would still be struggling with Urdu or Japanese if you lived in a large American expat community in Pakistan or Japan, even after eleven years. If you had the stuffing beat out of you by Pakistani or Japanese cops when one of your car lights went out, you’d be more than a bit cheesed off if they defended themselves based on your lack of language proficiency. I have no idea why her English skills proficiency have anything to do with why she appears to have been beaten.
“But I do find it interesting how many commenters treat the woman’s poor English skills as a mitigating factor for the arresting officer.”
It might be a mitigating factor…in, say, Lodgepole, Nebraska. I doubt there’s many Spanish-speaking people there.
On the other hand, MP has a Spanish-speaking population and the local government is well aware of this, as evidenced by the fact that the city website provides translations of nearly everything they post.
I suspect, for some reason, that this isn’t the first time that the arresting officer has interacted with someone with poor English skills.
From the WTOP Comments:
“I know this officer professionally, and he does speak Spanish. EVERY officer working in Manassas Park speaks enough Spanish to at least give out basic commands- they teach this stuff to you on a regular basis. Not only that, but he has several years experience working in that area. As a former LE, you eventually pick up Spanish if the area you work in is predominantly Hispanic. DUH! Also, Lt. Prinz is immensely professional and would only resort to force if he absolutely had to. ”
LT. PRINZ SPEAKS SPANISH. I’VE HEARD HIM MYSELF.
Lets leave conjecture about who did what to whom at the city gate- time and the investigations will sort it all out..what is surprising to me is the fact that the woman ( allegedly) could not read enough English to read the ticket– how did she get a drivers license????
The VA DMV has a driver’s manual in Spanish. I would expect that probably means they also offer the knowledge test in Spanish.
http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/manual_s.asp
people, people…all this aside, the “11 year citizen and doesn’t speak english”, the “burned out headlights and defective equipment” and every thing else…….
….do we really expect anything different? honestly? all i’m saying is that until the governing body of Manassas Park, the Police and others involved can removed their collective heads out of their asses can we really expect anything different, regardless the circumstance?
seeing/hearing about things like this reminds me of what my old man used to say…”we are all on a slow boat to hell”……sad ain’t it?
“I suspect many of you would still be struggling with Urdu or Japanese if you lived in a large American expat community in Pakistan or Japan, even after eleven years.”
But here’s the difference. If one of their police told me to do something, and I understood, I wouldn’t tell him that I refused to imply until he provided an English interpreter.
I would NEVER expect WTOP to offer anything but one side of this story. That is a dunghill of a radio station. I like the “hasn’t anyone ever forgot their driver’s license?” argument. How’s this one: Hasn’t anyone ever received a traffic ticket? You sign the stupid thing. It’s not an admission of guilt, y’all know the drill. I remember the pregnant girl on the Metro that got beaten up for eating a candy bar. What’s hard about following instructions given by a police officer? The facts aren’t out yet, and we should wait to find out what really happened (if indeed we’ll ever know), but so far I’m buying her story about as much as I bought Casey Anthony’s BS.
justice for all: why would you have to speak english to pass a drivers’ test. I’ve driven in at least 20 countries (and driven quite skillfully, if I may say so) without speaking a word of the language in that country). If she can operate the vehicle safely and knows what the various road signs mean (which are generally all symbolic, not verbal) , that’s what we need to know before issuing a license.
Anonymous said on 6 Feb 2009 at 8:16 am: Flag comment
justice for all: why would you have to speak english to pass a drivers’ test.
As long as the tests are given in Spanish (possibly others) there is no need. The point is that a person who has been living in this country for 11 years and cannot converse in basic English has a big problem and she has just proven it!
“knows what the various road signs mean”
Like the one in Bull Run where 234 hits the shopping center where the movie theatre is, and the Unos, and the Golden Corrall? It says in clear English that the right lane is for the 66 Exit only. And traffic used to flow that way. Nowadays it doesn’t, all day long there’s a stream of panicked aliens who can’t read English veering over and nearly causing accidents.
Brian Leeper said on 5 Feb 2009 at 8:37 pm: Flag comment
It is a camera (specifically, an NTSC video camera–which produces a standard analog TV signal). The images are fed into a computer that digitizes the analog NTSC signal and processes it with image recognition software to signal the traffic controller whether there is a vehicle present or not.
Thank goodness it isn’t a PAL or SECAM video camera. We would really have a problem then, wouldn’t we?
BothPartiesColludeAgainstUs said on 5 Feb 2009 at 6:45 pm: Flag comment
I don’t think you need to be a psychiatrist to figure out her state of mind. She was being foreclosed. She had been tricked into signing a bad loan and feels the system is against her. So she didn’t want to sign the summons.
Who tricked her into signing a bad loan? I’ll bet you ten to one that her REA was a Latino and they “take care” of their own.
Sounds like they really need to have cameras equipped in those cars. It would really tell a different story.
I guarantee you I would not have any problems with this officer. I would comply with his commands. As a matter of fact, I place my hands on the dash on each side of the steering wheel as they are coming up to the car. I made no sudden moves and explain to them what I am doing BEFORE I do it (reaching for wallet ect.). Some things are common sense!!!
What type of person is she that she doesn’t know enough english to be somewhat conversational after 11 years. I was stationed in the Philippines for 18 months and could understand the basics as well as hold very rudimentary conversations. I would image after 11 years, I would be able to hold better ones.
This is more than aggravating because now an officer is off the streets protecting the citizens of MP. A woman will undoubtedly come up with a law suit which will be in the millions and settled for just enough to pay off the house.
She refused to do as she was told. I have a hard time feeling sympathy for criminals that do not do as the police tell them and expect their injuries suffered from their lack of cooperation to be compensated in a court of law.
A few months ago I was stopped by a police officer in PWC for stopping on a residential street to pick up some trash that some one threw out of their car, I didn’t put my 4 way flasher on while retreiving the trash, which took less than 20 seconds, anyway I was pulled over for failing to put my flashers on, eventhough I moved out of the traffic lane. I immediately asked the officer to call for a supervisor, as I feared for my safety since several PWC police officers are well known rogues. The Supervisor arrived about 15 minutes later, the officer told him of my infraction, the supervisor spoke to me I told him the same story the officer told him, the supervisor said “…have a nice evening, you could call public works to pick up the trash…” ALWAYS CALL FOR A SUPERVISOR in Manassas, Manassas Park and PWC.
FOIA, you are slanderous rogue. The individual police officers in Prince William County are of the highest professional calibre.
Admittedly, I don’t know the details of this case but I must say that she appears to have been ingoring (or not understanding..but other readers have mentioned the phenomenon of selective English) the reasonable directions of police officer.
The officer has to protect his own safety and when someone is not cooperating and not communicating, it could be perceived as a threat by the officer who does not know what is coming next, e.g the suspect could be planning an attack or escape.
I’m not condoning any actions of force because I don’t know all the details but I’m not going to assume this officer abused his authority just because this woman has a lawyer and a bump on her head.
It should be investigated and dealt with either way. BUT…
11 years in this country and no English? Given the rising unemployment in this country, it’s about time her work permit expires anyway.
I am sorry, but I do not leave the house without my drivers license. That is the main form of ID. Someone else made the point she was on her way to a broker, he would have had to have a copy of it as a form of ID.
You do not comply with the police, you will suffer te consequences of your actions. Seems to me she has suffered the consequences of her actions. I would like to see bruising from the kicks she said she sustained. If the officer was kicking her in the side as she stated, she would have had a broken rib or some sort of bruised internal organ be it a liver or kidney.
I didn’t hear or read anything about that.
We have too much welfare at this time and with the current “stimulus” package, we are only going to increase this state. Too many welfare recepients and not enough tax payers.
This woman has some serious issues. I dont think all the facts are out but on it’s face it appears to be a ploy to file a lawsuit and get some cash to bail her self out of the problem she’s in.
If she does work at mcdonald’s then she HAS to know some english. Hell, you mean to tell me she only speaks spanish when taking an order? She has to have some communication skills after being here for 11 years. I just dont buy the whole “no speaking english” thing. Mcdonalds places you in front of people in the U.S….Where we speak english.
I’m sorry, This whole situation stinks to high heaven and regardless of whether manassas police have some other internal issues (or not) I think the officer deserves the nod on this one from what I’ve seen so far.
Of course there is another side to this story and I’ll wait to hear from the Police and hopefully a video from the dash cam. Then I will render an opinon.
Doesn’t anyone find in interesting she called the press before doing anthing about her complaint.
But this is Greg’s site and he do his best to throw stones at anything to do with Manassas Park with or without the facts.
/\/\3|)iç 64 stated - “Too many welfare recepients and not enough tax payers.”
You have that right. Interesting blurb I read a few weeks ago about California. Article told about this engineer who moved with his family to Colorado.
This is what is happening. More people are leaving California than migrating to it. But, most of those leaving are like the engineer. They were California tax payers. They make a positive tax contribution to both local and state govt. while most of those entering whether illegal or legal are - for the most part - tax absorbing. So, now California is going down the tubes and they want the feds. to bail them out of the mess their incompetent leaders - with help from their friendly fed. leaders - have allowed to develop.
Robert L. Duecaster said on 6 Feb 2009 at 12:51 pm: Flag comment
” The individual police officers in Prince William County are of the highest professional calibre.”
If you believe this is true, you need to get out of the house more and see what’s going on around you.
FormerFM,
I know that the vast majority of the people here are law abiding and respect and appreciate the job done by LE. The few that make the most noise and complain are usually the ones who have been arrested and/or ticketed and of course they were never guilty. Many surveys have been done over the years within the county and these just support my statement regarding the fact most are satisfied with LE in the county.
“Doesn’t anyone find in interesting she called the press before doing anthing about her complaint.”
I find it interesting that she claims that nobody spoke Spanish to her in a jurisdiction that has made substantial effort to accommodate the Spanish-speaking population.
Brian Leeper said on 7 Feb 2009 at 12:37 am: Flag comment
I find it interesting that she claims that nobody spoke Spanish to her in a jurisdiction that has made substantial effort to accommodate the Spanish-speaking population.
Maybe they have finally smartened up. That group has had too many accommodations.
This is most enlightening. If I’m pulled over by a police officer - anywhere - all I have to do is play the “no hable Ingles” game and I’m exempt from cooperating? And, if the officer doesn’t call in an translator, and uses force, I can go to the media, and then file a law suit with monetary damages?
Why didn’t someone tell us about this before the economy took a downturn?
Wait a minute here. So the officer speaks Spanish. That doesn’t mean that he didn’t talk to her in Spanish. We have only heard her side saying she didn’t understand, and doesn’t speak English. Did anyone ask her if the officer spoke to her in Spanish? No. Let’s hear his side for once. It sounds to me that the officer is the accused here. So in any situation today the lawbreaker is given the benefit of the doubt, and it’s the law enforcement person who is scrutinized! This is truly a LIBERAL society made up of children of the anti-war folks of the 60’s.
If we make it easy to function in this country without knowing English, we have set the expectation that it will ALWAYS be easy to function without knowing English, hence this situation.
The can of worms was opened years ago. This is a consequence.
Verbal communications is a problem that will always be with us as even those immigrants that do speak English have such an accent that misunderstandings will always occur. I deal with it five days a week at my job where minute details are extremely important. I find myself taking many times longer to get clarification of a verbal message. Before the US turned into the UN verbal understanding was much less error prone. Ordering a burger at McDonalds is an example of language based miscommunication at the lowest level. Now extrapolate that to a surgeon giving orders while operating on you in a room with support people from five different nationalities and you get the picture. Clearly spoken singular language is a must for this country’s future success. Never mind this diversity pandering. Make a certain level of English speaking proficiency a requirement for obtaining a driver’s license, and these situations won’t have excuses.
I went through a divorce many years ago with a Peruvian woman who could speak pretty good English when she wanted to. But, everytime we appeared in court, suddenly she couldn’t speak English and required an interpreter.
Isn’t it her responsibility to speak the language of her adopted country?
we’ll see in about a week or so this turn out to be a false claim and she’ll fade back into the woodwork from whence she came just like every other shuckster opportunist.
I thought that with the law “Ignorance is NO excuse”. That pretty much would be my way of looking at it. It is her responsibility to understand and abide by our lawful procedures. End of story, and Welcome to America!
This is a good example of why we need ‘dash-cams’
TDB said on 7 Feb 2009 at 12:32 pm: Flag comment
I went through a divorce many years ago with a Peruvian woman who could speak pretty good English when she wanted to. But, everytime we appeared in court, suddenly she couldn’t speak English and required an interpreter.
I lived in Lima for two years and ran into the same problem. Locals there REFUSED to speak English to me any my family although they could. The nature of the beast there. Didn’t hurt too bad cause we learned enough Spanish to get the point across when we had too.
Anonymous said on 6 Feb 2009 at 6:31 pm:
Robert L. Duecaster said on 6 Feb 2009 at 12:51 pm:
” The individual police officers in Prince William County are of the highest professional calibre.”
If you believe this is true, you need to get out of the house more and see what’s going on around you.
Like what? What do YOU know that we don’t?
Caught the tail end of a radio news blurb regarding this incident:
A man, who spoke reasonably decent English, claimed to be the woman’s brother and a witness to the entire altercation.
Why then was he unable or unwilling to translate the directive from the police officer to his sister?
The police officer was also injured but the details are being withheld as they are part of the investigation.
Lt. Prinz is a total professional, he is a great guy, he would move out his way to help anyone. I have no doubts that he will be cleared of any wrong doing. He is the last person in the world to use any kind of excessive force. Once all the investigations are cleared, she will be the one in court for slander and libel.
The ones that are taking her side will be proven that she has made fools out of them. She refused to sign a ticket and she was taken to the magistrate on the original charge and the magistrate agreed with the Officer by issuing a warrant for her on the headlight out and the other charges, Lt. Prinz totally had Probable cause to arrest her for all the charges, and if he didn’t the magistrate would not have given him a warrant for it as stated by the MP Police press release.
The MP Police is not the LAPD.
In the Journal Messenger, she said “I banged my head on the hood of the car several times.”
“A man, who spoke reasonably decent English, claimed to be the woman’s brother and a witness to the entire altercation.”
So, a brother comes out of the woodwork. Wow! How many more relatives and other supporters will follow?
Cynic said on 9 Feb 2009 at 11:58 am: Flag comment
“A man, who spoke reasonably decent English, claimed to be the woman’s brother and a witness to the entire altercation.”
So, a brother comes out of the woodwork. Wow! How many more relatives and other supporters will follow?
As soon as they come out of the shadows….er woodwork.
I have read all this and at this point will say, the officer was correct, and Was simply doing his job. This is yet another way to get attention, and money! I live in the park and drove by the incident on the way to the store there were other police officers present and don’t the cruisers have video?: i would love to see that! Officer Prinz is fair and i do not believe he used excessive force there are other officers that I would believe it from. So lets see what happens.
If i or you were pulled over we would have to comply with having license and listening to the officer and NOT resisting arrest.
Anonymous, right on. As we all know, the illegals and their sick supporters are using this incident to gain attention. Hope they fail.
The fact is that illegals should not have rights. They should be classified as enemy combatants. They should have no standing to sue citizens - the Arizona rancher. But, the fact is that they have more rights than citizens.
I think that we should organize a campaign to gain and extend to citizens the same rights the illegal enjoy.
I would like to leave a message about my concern with the Mexicans without Borders group doing a march on Monday starting at 4pm down Mathis Ave due to the Manassas Park police assault scandal. The woman’s story itself does not uphold a good argument as she complains of cuts and bruises on her arms, legs and face that she went to the hospital for, but the officer was injured as well and seen by paramedics at the scene according to reports. The woman also did not have a drivers liscense and refused to sign her ticket due to the fact that she supposedly can not speak english and did not understand what was going on. The state police are beginning to take over the investigation, but have mentioned in the newspapers that the woman has yet to give the Manassas Park police department an offical complaint. I believe that if this was a person of anyother race, this scandal would be blown off and forgotten. Instead, the Mexicans without Borders feels the need to stand up for an El Salvadorian woman who was in the wrong and was handled in a completely legal manor as would anyone who would fight back against a police officer no matter what language you may speak. This group is causing a controversy that has no need to even be acknowledged and something needs to be done about it. I’m tired of seeing them being able and admired to stand up and make rally’s, yet people of my belief and color are looked down upon and called raciest when we stand up against them. I ask of anyone to help me raise awareness of this and stand up for my own rights and rights of the officer.
She’s looking for a PAYDAY LOAN to tide her over. She’s also probably afraid to file a formal police report cuz if they find out it is a lie……….she might find her can in the county jail and thence 287g followup and deportation. Even if she is in the country legally and then breaks the law by filing false police report, she IS subject to be deported for comitting the crime. Let’s get ICE involved in this investigation.
Perhaps you should reread the thread…she is a LEGAL immigrant.
I usually am at that intersection at about that time, en route to pick up my child from daycare. This should be fun. If her rights were violated, why hasn’t she filed a complaint against the officer?
AWCheney said on 14 Feb 2009 at 6:40 pm: Flag comment
Perhaps you should reread the thread…she is a LEGAL immigrant.
That’s what the thread says. Does anyone have proof positive? Nonetheless, if she is found guilty of filing a FALSE police report (if and when she does) she still can be deported. Being here legally doesn’t mean you can be here forever especially if you commit a serious crime (and claiming police brutality is a serious charge.) Perhaps THAT is the reason she has NOT YET filed an official complaint against the officer.
She’s probably here because of the war or natural disaster in her home country. The war is over she should go back there if she’s been here so long and can’t read or understand English. It’s apparent that she doesn’t want to stay here and assimulate. If she did she would have learned English.
Hope they got the permits to march in MP otherwise maybe ICE can show up and help them on their way…. outta the country.
Dave in PWC said on 14 Feb 2009 at 11:08 pm: Flag comment
She’s probably here because of the war or natural disaster in her home country. The war is over she should go back there if she’s been here so long and can’t read or understand English. It’s apparent that she doesn’t want to stay here and assimulate. If she did she would have learned English.
Yes, it is time to send them ALL packing. The war has been over for a number of years, no recent hurricanes (or other excuses) to give them priviledged status. She’s looking for the BIG PAYOFF so she can go back home and buy her finka (plantation) and be the Jeffe. She’ll miss McDonalds and her free happy meals. Maybe she hopes to get the BIG PAYOFF and open her own. She won’t have to worry about long lines at lunchtime.
The funny thing about her not “understanding” what was going on because of her lack of knowledge about the english language is that the arresting officer SPEAKS SPANISH! Not only that but she caught herself in a lie shown right at the top of this page from her quote from WTOP which read, “By the third time he told me to get out - I hadn’t gotten out because I was scared - he sprayed me with pepper spray,” Dominguez says…Meaning she understood that she was supposed to get out of the car and the officer was PATIENT enough to ask her three times. That’s considered resisting arrest and she broke the law. End of story, she got what she deserved.
WHAT ABOUT THE MARCH ON MONDAY??? Will there be support for both sides? or just the misguided individuals that are backing a woman that is in fact telling false statements. I am pleased that several of your readers realize this. 1. she understood enough english to know she was asked to get out 3 times. 2. her brother was present and spoke english. 3. we would not get away with any of this if we were pulled over for the same in any county in Va. 4. the officer should also have charged this person with assaulting a police officer. * the woman got away with much more then any of us would have. the simple truth of the matter is she was not complying with the officer and was arrested due to her lack of cooperation. As far as the march this is just an excuse to try to get sympathy for their cause. I for one am tired of the double standard.
I went to court for an expired safety inspection and their was 2 1/2 hours of hispanic people all with the same charge… no license,! amazing. then came the wonderful no registration of insurance! so we are screwed when one of these people hit us. and by the way, the court only imposed a $50 fine for the offence. ridiculous!!! a black man was charged with the same and his fine was higher and received a tongue lashing from the judge.
instead of jumping on the band wagon for this woman who was clearly wrong and defiant to the officer. why not start asking why there is a double standard with the law being more leniant if u are hispanic.!
IF ANYONE HAS THE DETAILS OF THE MARCH , I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW. I THINK I WILL GO PROTEST THE IGNORENCE, if you live here - obey the laws of the land and those who have the courage to enforce it. Thank you for listening to me vent.
Does anyone know the status of the Virginia State Police investigation. It shouldn’t take more that a couple of hours to complete (I would think.)
ProudAmericanGirl said on 15 Feb 2009 at 8:19 pm: Flag comment
That’s considered resisting arrest and she broke the law. End of story, she got what she deserved.
Hopefully that is NOT the end of the story and she GETS more than what she deserves from the court.
Did you know Manassas Park doesn’t run a psychological evaluation on it’s officers before hiring them? I know because one of their recent hires has a mix of depression and bipolar disorder. How scarry they hired him and he carries a gun. Go figure…..