Originally published Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Interpreters to assist Central Washington town police
This Central Washington farm town has established a list of interpreters and guidelines for their use in assisting police under an agreement...
MATTAWA, Grant County — This Central Washington farm town has established a list of interpreters and guidelines for their use in assisting police under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.
The agreement, announced this week, is the first of its kind in Washington, according to a statement by the federal agency. It resolves two complaints accusing the town and police of failing to provide access to interpreters for Spanish-speaking residents who were victims of domestic violence.
The 2000 census showed Mattawa's population at 2,609, nearly 90 percent Hispanic. The same tally also indicated that 83 percent of the Hispanic residents over age 18 speak English less than "very well."
Mattawa is about 140 miles southwest of Spokane.
The complaints were filed in 2005, and a resolution satisfactory to the feds took until recently to achieve, said Ed Allan, a lawyer who represents the town.
The town has established a list of interpreters that meet the demands of both sides, as well as parameters for when the interpreters will be summoned, Allan said.
"Sometimes you go to a domestic-violence situation and sometimes those are very volatile, and you have to consider the safety of the interpreter, too," he said, "so there are conditions written in to protect everybody."
The plan also requires translation into Spanish of vital municipal documents and establishment of an outreach program to ensure that people with limited English are covered by services and programs.
Under the agreement, the federal agency may monitor progress for two years.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 12:32 PM
DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
NEW - 12:49 PM
Alaska Air Group believes smaller is better, CEO tells investors
UPDATE - 12:56 PM
Reward in Greenwood arsons raised to $25,000
Greenwood merchants nervous after 3 more arsons
UW to honor war heroes with Medal of Honor memorial

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
263 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
262 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
204 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
183 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
167 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
128 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
95 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
87 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
84 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
71
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'





