Beck and Baca on licenses for the undocumented

LAPD chief Charlie Beck had a bit more to say today about his comments yesterday in favor of issuing a special drivers license to undocumented residents who pass the tests. Those comments were in a closed session with Times reporters and editors, but today's remarks were to reporters who caught up with him outside police headquarters. "Public safety is my number one priority," Beck said. "I make decisions based on public safety. ... This would increase drivers' safety....We have to deal with reality. Unlicensed drivers are an issue." NBC LA video, LAPD audio

Meanwhile, Sheriff Lee Baca reminded the media today that he has come out for licensing undocumented drivers before. "There's enough potential for Chief Beck's idea for it to be explored," Baca said Thursday.