I personally know Andy Scofield and have socialized with him and his family at the ASL socials often, perhaps even Friday if they will be there.
This issue will be the topic of our P.I.P. (Positive Interaction Program) educational and community service between H.P.D. (Houston Police Department) and the deaf community. P.I.P. is not 27 years in service of the deaf community of Houston and has kept a calm and understanding between the police and the deaf. Unfortunately, what happen to Andy was not under the control of H.P.D. It happen under the control of the Constable Office, totally separated from H.P.D.
Had it been under the control of H.P.D. there are 17 VRIs for the police to use in the field, the number is growing and we hope to have 35 by the end of the year. However, some will go into imprtant place such as the two airport, city hall, multi-service center, woman shelter, etc. Nevertheless, this issue whould have been handled differently and we will have our meeting on Tuesday...look for a follow-up report on this meeting.
As far as C.C. there was, on the regular newscast at 5pm and 10 pm, c.c. on FOX. Our local FOX is the best where it comes to c.c. and CBS is the worst. I can't say for the internet services because I do not have access to one.
Discrimination? Absolutely. However, this shows the need to step beyond H.P.D. (there are the Sheriff Dept. State Troopers, Texas Rangers and Constables) and train ALL OFFICERS in accommodation of the deafs communication needs and the rules and laws of when an interpreter is REQUIRED. Not every situation requirest an interpreter (i.e. speeding ticket, stop sign). We are getting there and I feel that Houston, in comparison to other cities (i.e. Austin, Dallas) of greater deaf population, is far ahead of those cities.