A Milton City Council member is drawing backlash after suggesting that drivers who don’t speak English should not be allowed to drive through the city.
Councilmember Bob Whalen made the comments during a public city council meeting on Monday, April 20, while officials were discussing a proposed ordinance to limit semi-truck traffic in Milton.
“Where do we have in code that you have to speak English to an officer … Is that something to incorporate in here?” Whalen asked Police Chief Tony Hernandez during the meeting.
Hernandez said no such requirement currently exists.
“No, that’s not something we’ve incorporated in there. We have not run across that very often,” Hernandez responded.
Whalen pressed further, suggesting the city could adopt its own rule.
“If you can’t speak English, you don’t drive,” Whalen said. “If you can’t speak English, you don’t transit through the City of Milton.”
Hernandez said any such proposal would require review by legal counsel and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, noting that he was not aware of any state law supporting that type of restriction.
Hernandez told KING 5 the issue is not currently a policy or operational concern for the department.
“At this point, it remains a matter of individual perspective rather than a policy, legal, or procedural issue requiring formal review,” Hernandez told the outlet.
He added that while federal regulations require certain commercial drivers to be able to read and speak English, enforcement of those standards is not handled at the local level.
Puget Press has reached out to Whalen for comment.
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