"Deja a estas personas solo. Que significa que ningún daño. En mi viaje me encontré con uno de su clase. Su nombre era Katow-jo. Nos hicimos amigos. Voy a contar cuentos de su compasión."

"Leave these people alone. They mean you no harm. On my journey I met one of your kind. His name was Katow-jo. We became friends. I will tell tales of your compassion."

I agree: first and foremost anyone coming to the U.S. needs to learn English and anyone here should be a legal citizen or legal immigrant. Since this class is needed, the Janesville Police Dept. would benefit from recruiting bi-lingual police officers from Calif., Arizona, or Colorado where people are looking to leave the high costs of living in those states. As draws, Janesville has a lower cost of housing, 4 seasons, is safe, clean and quiet, and a has a pretty good school system. Plus, Wisconsin has professional sports teams, lakes and many other interests. It's not just a language difference, it's understanding culture as well, plus adding diversity, that would help the department in the long run.

Yo soy americano y estoy orgulloso, tambien hablo espanol. Y al que no le paresca se valla y chifle a su mauser...

translated:

I am American and I'm proud, also speak Spanish. And that is not paresca fence and whistled at her mauser ...

------

OK.

Yo soy americano y estoy orgulloso, tambien hablo espanol. Y al que no le paresca se valla y chifle a su mauser...

Whats next street signs in spanish!!

hannah, close, dientes mean teeth. And correct, "yo" is usually not stated because it's usually understood. Sometimes it's used for clarification or emphasis.

Yo no soy marinaro is from the song La Bamba: I am not a sailor.

tiredofhearingit: same point, stated different. You're tired of hearing it, many are tired of hearing you talk, talk, talk as it sounds as if what you say and how you say it is THE way. Some people don't leave up the Gazette to comment on it all day long. Some people have a life and don't debate behind a screen name. SO, if that's what you want, we can all meet in a common location (i.e. the coffee shop) and debate it in person.

ihavealife - thats the 1st time I've ever said anything to Hannah - what are you talking about.
***
prevention - Apparently you didnt read my post @ 9:34 AM this morning, I'm all for this & think its in all of our best interest to have the PD understand spanish.

tiredofhearingit: it's a psychological thing. there are times some people are more apt to cooperate when they believe they can be identified with. That's a great advantage to law enforcement. Of course, a career criminal doesn't give a darn!

My point was meant to be that there should be active searches for minority officers. In fact, there's quite the crew in nearby (within an hour) municipalities that have a great representation of minorities.

no - actually I was proofreading what I wrote - something you might benefit from as well.

"that is why this why to teach it is good" - WHAT?! OMG you get less coherent everytime you say something.

hannah; most of us could take as many years of english as we want to & not know what your talking about either.

thekid: don't get so upset ... I was just joking with you, i'm sorry your feelings get hurt so easy :-) ... i'm still waiting on the burn you say you got me with, haven't felt a thing yet.

Soy cap-e-tan.

Soy cap-e-tan.

SaraB; I agree with you - everyone should welcome this. Who wants to confront 2 or more people & not know what they're saying - "you get his left side & I'll get his gun" (in spanish of course). This is common sense for the safety of our officers. I do disagree with who is teaching this though. Wouldnt this officers resources be better utilized "on the streets" I'm sure ther are a few unemployed teachers out there that would welcome a job. I cant believe the WEAC is not offering to step in & help after all - "it is their work" - insnt that the union way?

prevention; "hiring more minorities would allow these criminals to believe they have someone on their side when they get arrested".... WHAT? are you suggesting corruption? the law is the law no matter what language you speak! Cops dont take "sides"

Learning basic Spanish can save an officer's life. It's a very good idea for them to learn it.

Lily
" Learning spanish language? that's just wrong! If someone here in the U.S.A. doesn't understand what is being said to them in the english language, that's their problem! Speak english or go back to where you came from! Free english learning classes are available. If you choose not to speak the english language then get out! So what is this costing us for the cops here to learn spanish? We americans are now the minority here and it's just not right!"

.
The most blatantly racist statement I have read in a while.
How Pathetic!
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It is 2009 and the United States of America should not tolerate this type of language. Instead of worrying about who can speak English, you worry about your own education. Obviously somebody failed you.
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Remember what Qui-Gon said to Ja Ja..."The ability to speak does not make one intelligent."
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Lily, you proved that point.
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How about you leave, ASAP!

well said, chelleandlou.

Wow. You guys a piece of work. Your racist views are a disgrace. And you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I don't like the the illegal occupancy of anyone no matter where they originate from.

While I agree that one of the requirements for citizenship in this country should be fluent English and illegals should be turned in to proper authorities and deported, there still needs to be someone who can communicate with those who don't understand english.

Another reason to learn basic Spanish is so when you go on vacation in THEIR country you can speak and understand their language. It's a two way street folks.

I took a command spanish class five years ago for secretaries and receptionists, while I haven't had the opportunity to use it, I had the resource readily available.

Just think, would you be living in the USA had your ancestors been required to know english when they came to America from other non-english speaking lands?

American Indian tribes had their individual languages, they were here first. Hawaii has it's own language in addition to english. Do we cast them aside? No.

The United States is a great nation because we are the land of the free. We come from all nations under God. We are a land of diversity no matter your race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, education, intelligence level, or age and plenty more.

I don't approve of the illegal population any more than the next person, however, I have no issue with those who have followed proper channels to establish citizenship in the United States.

There are plenty of lessons to be learned from citizens of other countries, especially poor countries like Mexico. We are, by far,a very wealthy country. We waste resources without batting an eye. We take for granted housing, having medications, electricity, running water, clean water, food..and the list goes on. It isn't until we are unemployed, homeless, sick and hungry that we realize how good we had it and how we wasted it.

Lily- Wow. What a horrible thing to say. Did your ancestors know how to speak any native american languages when they came here? Probably not. How about english; could they speak that either? Were they locked up or made to leave the country? No-you are hear spouting your garbage that boils down to the fact that you are xenophobic and intolerant of people who are different from you. I am glad I am different from you. How about we oust you for being a xenophobe?

Yo no soy marinaro.

Yes, yes, yes! Let's just jail anyone who speaks a different language. That'll keep us all safe. Then those of use who speak those other languages can get good paying jobs as prison guards. That means, of course, that you folks who speak only English will have to pay more taxes, but that's the price of freedom, right?

Of course, hiring more than one cop to diversify the police force would be better. Better than understanding the languages, hiring more minorities would allow these criminals to believe they have someone on their side when they get arrested or have the K9 dog bite their... anyway...

Manos arriba, is correct- hands up..... The "andale, arriba" thing is merely American cartoon makers being moronic and taking a couple Spanish words and making them yell them over and over. And, very simply- this isn't just for a criminal- think of a scared child, a rape victim, etc. These people also need first responders, and, valuable information and evidence can be lost if basic procedures aren't followed. Good job, Janesville police- knowledge is NEVER a bad thing!

ay caramba!!!!

Badges? we ain't got no badges..we don't have to show you no stinking badges...

This is for baegucb.....

http://www.wordmagicsoft.com/dictionary/...

Learning spanish language? that's just wrong! If someone here in the U.S.A. doesn't understand what is being said to them in the english language, that's their problem! Speak english or go back to where you came from! Free english learning classes are available. If you choose not to speak the english language then get out! So what is this costing us for the cops here to learn spanish? We americans are now the minority here and it's just not right!

do people really get shot for fleeing??

Great, now when a Spanish speaking person doesn't understand a police officer simply say Stop, Police!, and he gets shot while fleeing, we'll be paying for the lawsuit. Because that police officer "should have know Spanish".

"Manos Arriba!" means "hands fast" not "Hands up!" /me took spanish decades ago and remembers cartoon characters yelling Arriba! Arriba!

how do ya smoke a roach when there legs are going in all directions ?

i see why every time ive burnt you justaguy youve come back with the same thing at me. you just arent familiar with what a burn is. its ok we can work with you. you should start by asking your buddies at recess tomorrow if they know how to 'burn' someone.

i know someone out there knows what movie my comment was referring too...

Ouch, I think thekid just got burnt ... and not by a roach :-)

thekid, given your most serious interest, you should at least understand a little Spanish.

ill have my dog baxter translate what you said gfan

Me lavo los dientes con Gleeeeeeem.

Why? Pretty hard even to get a job in your own country because now business what someone who can speak spanish as a requirement. Just not right!