Barletta Testifies in Hazleton Trial
"Hazleton Mayor Louis Barletta testified yesterday that his city needs another
30 police officers, but his crime-fighting priority has been creating laws to kick illegal immigrants out of town. During five hours on the witness stand, Mr. Barletta said Hazleton is being ruined by violent crime, crowded schools and a clogged emergency room at the city's private hospital. He attributed many of the problems to what he called 'illegal aliens,' even though he admitted he had no idea how many such immigrants are in his city," the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "Mr. Barletta said the ordinances are necessary to stop crime. Mr. Walczak jumped on the comment, telling the mayor it was unrealistic to believe crime could be eliminated. 'Especially when you're trying to do it and you're sued,' Mr. Barletta said." WFMZ-TV has a video report on yesterday's testimony as well.
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