Members of Buffalo's Burmese community are raising concerns about a large number of unsolved crimes on the city's West Side. Dozens of new residents turned out for the Common Council's Police Oversight Committee meeting.
Given the large number of immigrants who turned out, Committee Chair David Rivera asked that city officials comments be translated.
Among the speakers voicing concerns about the unsolved crimes in Buffalo's Burmese community was Daniel Leong.
"Over the past three or four months, in a short time, there are about 47 break-ins. And that's a big number,"Leong said.
Leong noted the roughly 6,000 Burmese immigrants are good for the city's economy. Planning to stay for generations and are proud Buffalonians. But he said 80 percent do not speak English.
"Since we don't speak English doesn't mean that our concerns be put aside. And not considered important."
Attorney Lisa Strand with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo said she was appalled that police do not offer language access.
"There were seven victims who were held at gunpoint. Not one of them was ever talked to by the police. So there's no possibility of follow up," Strand said.
B-District Chief Brian Patterson said detectives met with community members. Several arrests have been made. And Patterson says the investigation into the burglaries continues.
"This takes time because of the communication barrier," Patterson said.
Patterson says police are also holding workshops to teach immigrants how to phone 9-1-1 to report crimes.