“Language access saves lives. It is very important for the community to receive equal treatment,” said Ivan Larios, an organizer with the New York Immigration Coalition. “They could lose their lives in cases of domestic violence.' Read more:
Nassau County Police Department car in Oceanside.Volunteer testers who call Nassau County police precincts and headquarters and speak only Spanish only got help about half the time, accordingby advocacy groups the Long Island Language Advocates Coalition and the New York Immigration Coalition.
Neither the police department nor the Nassau County executive's office returned multiple calls seeking comment on the report. Federal laws require police to assist non-English speakers. Following awith the state's attorney general, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano signed two executive orders requiring county agencies to follow best practices with language access.
In the same meeting with lawmakers, Ryder said he had met with the Long Island Language Advocates Coalition about their concerns.