Berrien County Police hope to break language barrier

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Posted: 7:21 PM May 30, 2008
Last Updated: 1:25 AM May 31, 2008
Reporter: Stephanie Stang
Email Address: stephanie.stang@wndu.com

15 comments

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There's a new assistant joining the Berrien County Police Department and they hope it will break language barriers.

The department has bought a hand-held device called Speech Guard.

It is a multilingual translator that costs about a thousand dollars.

The money to buy it was donated by Wal-Mart.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Department has one now and Berrien Springs Police and Lakeland Hospital will also use the devices.

After two years of research the department decided it would really help them communicate with people in the field who don't speak English.

"It is a tool that we're gonna have that the people who have not come out because of a language barrier--will come out now and address any problem that they're having," says Detective Juan Mata from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.

The device is meant for simple conversation but it speaks up to nine languages.

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Posted by: Mark on Jun 1, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Sam, that's a noble cause, but a wasted effort. There's no real difference who's in office any more, they are guaranteed to represent the highest bidder at the expense of what is right/moral/legal.

Posted by: Sam Location: Michigan on Jun 1, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I think all law officers should be made to learn 8 different languages so they will be able to communicate with those that refuse to learn our language. I wonder how much Rosetta Stone charges if you buy a whole series for 8 different languages? Each officer could be given a new language each week.......that should be enough time, right?? How do you say "put up your hands and place them behind your head" and "you are under arrest, you have the right to remain silent, you have a right to an attorney if you can't afford one.....blah, blah, blah......lets see, 8 or 9 languages should do it. Sounds funny doesn't it? It's really not. See WHY its important for those that come here to understand OUR LANGUAGE?? If I was traveling or moving to someone else's country, I would certainly learn THEIR language. We Americans have put up with way too many things from foreigners. I knew it was coming to this when all the home centers and hospitals started putting up different language signs.

Posted by: Jen Location: Michigan on Jun 1, 2008 at 07:14 AM
You know what, if you can't speak the language of your country it is YOUR responsibility to learn it--not the citizens to spend tax dollars to cater to you!

Posted by: John Location: Mishawaka on May 31, 2008 at 06:52 PM
Enough with these xenophobic comments. Geese, everyone knows that they’re just committing crimes that American criminals no longer want to commit!

Posted by: mark on May 31, 2008 at 06:38 PM
if you dont speak the language of the country you live in, GET OUT

Posted by: Sam Location: Michigan on May 31, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Well people it is YOUR GOVERNOR and YOUR SENATORS that want to keep all the illegal immigrants here! If it was me (and it IS because I DO live in Michigan also), I am going to get out and try to vote this governor and your senator (Carl Levin especially) out of office!! You DO have a right to speak your mind and they only way this is going to happen is by voting!! Tell your family. Tell all your friends. Tell anyone that will listen!! Voting is one of the most POWERFUL TOOLS one single individual has. Put many votes together and you have a "voice of the people". Send a message to our goverment we will NOT stand for this any longer!! I am. Will you?

Posted by: Anonymous on May 31, 2008 at 05:53 PM
It makes me mad that people come here, live here for years and never learn the language. Go back where you came from if you don't want to truly be an American. And besides these devices another thing to help them would be to send back the illegals and then there wouldn't be as many problems

Posted by: hillery Location: indiana on May 31, 2008 at 02:24 PM
good grief. what a stupid idea. can't understand english? then don't come here. can't speak english? automatically ship them back across the border.more wasted $ .....

Posted by: ann. Location: In on May 31, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Here is an idea. If they can not speak the language of the land, pack em up and take them straight to the border and toss them over, barrier broke, problem solved.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 31, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I can bet the only language that will be translated is spanish,they won't have to set it to any other language around here.

Posted by: Bob on May 31, 2008 at 09:29 AM
How about the bad guys learn English with fruit pickin' before they get to stay, and use our welfare system, get free healthcare, free education for their illegitimate children. . . These people are just following the lead of "brothas" and "sistas" that have raped this country for decades.

Posted by: Robert Location: South Bend on May 31, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I have an idea. Make ENGLISH our national language. People can speak their native languages to each other, but must be bi-lingual. The business world is in English. The landscaping world is in Spanish. Doesn't make sense.

Posted by: Oh BTW on May 31, 2008 at 08:35 AM
What happened with those chicken fighters in south bend, anyway? I suppose they'll just be let off the hook then? I'd really like to see a follow-up on that.

Posted by: Mark on May 31, 2008 at 08:32 AM
They already have the perfect tool to communicate with people who don't speak english. It's called a 'billy club.' I love how WalMart poied up the cash so the police can communicate with their employees. Oh, and Richard, to be honest I've never seen an officer 'harass' anyone who hadn't recently been doing something incredibly stupid. I'm guessing you must get bothered a lot.

Posted by: Richard Location: Mich on May 31, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Now they can harrass and bust people in up to 9 different languages, how great! Lots of sarcasm here!!!

Posted by: Karen Location: Elkhart on May 30, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Learn English

Posted by: Big Rock Location: Fifth St. on May 30, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Now the police can said you is under arrest in Spanish.