Critics, including the LAPD police union, say the changes just reward lawbreakers and put politics above safety.

The meeting in Northridge was packed with residents who were overwhelmingly against the change. At one point, things got so heated, police commissioners nearly walked out of the meeting.

Don Rosenberg, whose said his 25-year-old son was killed in an accident involving an unlicensed driver, was one of those who opposed changes to the policy.

"The car should be confiscated and the driver should be arrested, and if they are caught again, then just keep jacking up the penalty until this stops," Rosenberg said. "There's over a million unlicensed drivers in California, and they're killing people every day."

Rosenberg received resounding applause from the crowd when he spoke.

"If you think it's fair, you come down the road and come meet my son in his cemetery and you tell him that this is fair," Rosenberg said, addressing Beck and the commission."

That just says to me they've already made up their minds to go forward with this unlawful policy change. Oh, and they're cowards and puppets. They need to remember that they serve the people that are angry but they obviously don't care.

Chief Charlie Beck is a total coward and a political puppet of Mayor Tony Villaraigosa. Villaraigosa is in cahoots with State Sen Gil Cedillo who is the illegal alien's best friend. This policy will only serve to put those without licenses right back on the road after being cited. The Mayor and the LAPD have put politically correct politics above the safety of the people of this city and all of us should attend every Police Commission meeting and demand the immediate resignation of these phonies who dare to call themselves "city leaders."

This law applies to everyone not just immigrants(legal or illegal- even ones NOT from Mexico). If you don't have a valid license then don't drive. If you are going to break the law then be prepared for the punishment. Allowing anyone to knowingly break the law tells me that you Mr. Mayor and Mr. Police Chief are in the WRONG profession. Those of us who ARE law abiding, are punished more or suffer more risks because of it. What laws will illegal immigrants be compelled to abide by? Apparently NONE of them want to abide by our laws, no matter what they are. And it's dangerous for LAW ENFORCEMENT officials to go along with it. To what purpose is HAVING the laws, if some have to abide, and some don't?

Chief Beck you are the top law enforcement official for the City of L.A. Most of us are law abiding citizens and frankly I am OUTRAGED that you would even consider allowing unlicensed drivers to break the law without any consequence. Most unlicensed drivers are illegal aliens, who by their mere presence, is already breaking the law. They work using false identities, more law breaking and none of our city/state officials do anything to stop it. Why should the rest of us continue to obey the laws when you reward and coddle these offenders? Have you noticed, Chief Beck, how many more hit & run crimes there are lately? Stop being political, that is not your job. Please do your job Chief Beck and arrest these unlicensed drivers and IMPOUND their cars.

I'm astonished this is even being discussed... why do politicians continue to pander to illegals..they can't vote (yet) they can't legally hold a job, they don't pay taxes..they are a drag on our tax dollars with all their benefits they they easily get when real Americans are suffering. I say take care of American Homeless, American unemployed NOT those driving with PIOLIN bumper stickers and killing Americans.