HomeMy Public PortalAbout1-13-2015 PS Minutes Nov Dec_201501021112300874MEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Meeting: November 18, 2014, 6:3o PM
&
December 2, 2014, 6:00 PM
The chair called the November 18 meeting to order at 6:30PM. Present were
committee chair Councilor Susan Falkoff, vice -chair Councilor Vincent Piccirilli, and
secretary Councilor Kenneth Woodland.
The first item on the agenda was to interview Mr. John Airasian for re-
appointment to the Traffic Commission. Mr. Airasian discussed his many years of
experience on this committee and the various projects they have addressed over the
past few years. The committee discussed the possibility of updating the traffic
commission's rules and policies, especially as it relates to signage and parking
regulations. Councilor Woodland then made the motion to recommend to the Town
Council the reappointment of Mr. Airasian to the Traffic Commission, seconded by
Councilor Piccirilli, approved unanimously by the committee.
Next on the agenda was a discussion about the Secure Communities Act.
Several residents and town officials, including police chief Edward Deveau, joined
the committee for this part of the meeting. Under this federal act, when someone has
been arrested and then cleared for release, the Immigration Customs Enforcement
(ICE) can ask a police department to detain that person for up to 48 hours for a
suspected immigration violation. The feeling of the committee was that we don't
want the WPD to be detaining residents for this reason alone, holding someone for
Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) when the WPD has determined that this
person is ready to be released (for whatever reason). The Police Chief was unable to
provide specific data on Watertown's experience with ICE detainer requests but did
note dealings with ICE are rare and limited. The Committee thus has no specific
knowledge of whether this is currently happening in Watertown but believes it
prudent to protect against this type of occurrence happening in the future.
Many residents spoke out in favor of enacting a type of "Trust Act." Many
folks spoke of the fear some immigrants have of police officers because of
experiences in their home countries and because of the potential for deportation.
Boston, Cambridge and Somerville have passed ordinances and/or resolutions
asking the local police not to enforce detainer requests under these circumstances.
Residents believe that passing a similar act in Watertown will not completely dispel
these fears but it will send a message that will make residents feel more welcome
and will be more likely to cooperate with the Police Department.
The committee felt that a Resolution would be the best way to implement
this policy. Councilor Piccirilli offered to draft a resolution for the next meeting, He
made a motion to that effect that was seconded by Councilor Woodland, and
approved unanimously. Councilor Woodland made a motion to adjourn at 7:45PM,
seconded by Councilor Piccirilli, and voted unanimously.
The Committee met again on December 2, 2014.
The chair called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM on Tuesday December 2,
2014. Present were committee chair Councilor Susan Falkoff, vice -chair Councilor
Vincent Piccirilli, and secretary Councilor Kenneth Woodland. Also in attendance
was Town Council President Sideris.
Councilor Piccirilli had drafted a resolution, with input from Chief Deveau,
Attachment A, that was modeled on similar acts from Somerville and Cambridge.
The committee noted that the fate of the Secure Communities Act is in
question after last week when the President announced the administration's intent
to stop the program. The Committee felt it was still important to move forward with
this Resolution The Committee also wants to acknowledge Councilor Piccirilli and
Chief Deveau for their hard work in putting this together.
Councilor Woodland made a motion to recommend to the full Town Council
the adoption of the proposed resolution as presented, seconded by Councilor
Falkoff, and approved unanimously. Councilor Woodland made a motion to adjourn
at 6:15PM, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and voted on unanimously.
Minutes respectfully prepared by Councilor Woodland.
Proposed Resolution For Public Safety Committee Discussion December 2, 2014:
Resolution # R -14 -
Watertown Policy for Responding to ICE Detainer Requests
Whereas, The Town of Watertown has a long, vibrant history that has been built upon
and enriched by successive generations of immigrants; and
Whereas, The federal Secure Communities program is currently being used to identify
undocumented immigrants in the custody of local police agencies; and
Whereas, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is part of the United States
Department of Homeland Security, and ICE issues "detainer requests" pursuant to Title 8
U.S.C. Sections 1226 and 1357(d), which asks local authorities to hold individuals, who
have been ordered released from police custody, for up to 48 additional hours so they can
be taken into federal custody; and
Whereas, Other Massachusetts communities including Boston, Cambridge and
Somerville have issued policy directives asking their police to exercise discretion when
considering whether to honor ICE detainer requests; and
Whereas, When local law enforcement officials indiscriminately honor all ICE civil
immigration detainer requests, including those that target non -criminal aliens, immigrant
residents can become fearful and less likely to cooperate with law enforcement, and
public trust is eroded, hindering the effectiveness of the local police force; and
Whereas, The Watertown Police Department has developed and maintains a strong
partnership with the community, and is committed to Community Policing as an effective
tool to build relationships with residents to make the community safer.
Now therefore be it resolved that the Town Manager shall work with the Watertown
Police Department to insure that only in the following cases will Watertown Police
comply with ICE detainer requests:
1) ICE has a criminal warrant.
2) Watertown officials have a law enforcement or public safety purpose that is not
related to the enforcement of civil immigration law.
3) The individual has ever been convicted of:
a) A serious violent felony as defined in Massachusetts General Laws.
b) A felony punishable by imprisonment in a state prison.
4) The individual is arrested and taken before a magistrate on a charge involving:
a) A serious or violent felony as defined in Massachusetts General Laws.
b) A felony punishable by imprisonment in a state prison and the magistrate
finds probable cause to believe the individual is guilty of a violent felony.
5) The individual is a currently on the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry.
Be it further resolved that the Town Manager is instructed to implement this policy
immediately upon passage.
Council Member
I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was
present, the above Resolution was adopted by a vote of for, against and present
on , 2014.
Valerie Papas Mark S, Sideris
Clerk of the Council Council President