Latest news with #communitytrust
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Who are these people?' Masked immigration agents challenge local police, sow fear in L.A.
Increasingly aggressive immigration raids carried out by masked federal agents, sometimes using unmarked vehicles, are creating problems for local law enforcement agencies. Police have little or no insight into where the federal enforcement actions are taking place but often have to deal with the aftermath, including protests and questions from residents about what exactly happened. In some cases, local cops have been mistaken for federal agents, eroding years of work to have immigrant communities trust the police. In Bell, chaos erupted when masked men arrived at a car wash and began detaining its workers, sparking a confrontation with residents and immigration rights advocates before they were forced to hastily drive over curbs and street islands to escape. In Pasadena last week, a man stepped out of his unmarked vehicle at an intersection, unholstered his pistol and aimed it at a group of pedestrians before returning to his car, turning on its red and blue emergency lights and speeding off. Video of the incident went viral. That incident left the police chief of Pasadena resigned to figure out whether it was a crime or part of a federal raid. "There's no way for us to verify," Police Chief Gene Harris said. The department reviewed surveillance footage and other video and saw the credentials on the man's uniform, according to the chief. "We were able to determine that to the best of our estimation he was an ICE agent. ... We will not look into it any deeper than that," he said. Read more: Feds vow to continue immigration enforcement 'every day in L.A.' Here are your rights At Dodger Stadium last week, immigration agents staged outside the parking lot prompted protests and questions that local officials had to address. "They show up without uniforms. They show up completely masked. They refuse to give ID," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news briefing after the Dodger Stadium incident. "Who are these people? And frankly, the vests that they have on look like they ordered them from Amazon. Are they bounty hunters? Are they vigilantes? If they're federal officials, why is it that they do not identify themselves?" Ed Obayashi, a Northern California deputy and use-of-force expert, said federal agents enjoy great autonomy and "can do what they want in their official capacity." "If they point a gun or take someone in, local police cannot step in and interfere regardless of the circumstances," Obayashi said. He said that federal agencies have extensive use-of-force policies on drawing weapons but that, ultimately, if the overall directive is to take this action, then the guidelines don't matter. "If Homeland Security says this is what we want, the policy guidelines when it comes to gun and force doesn't matter," he added. "There is little redress against federal law enforcement in the civil courts compared to local police." Federal agents are not subject to the same statues as local police, namely Section 1983 claims that allow people to sue certain government agencies and employees for violating their civil rights. "The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly shielded federal agents from legal repercussions," Obayashi said. The incidents at Dodger Stadium, in Bell and in Pasadena unfolded more than two weeks after masked immigration agents descended on the region carrying out a wave of immigration sweeps in predominately Latino communities. Residents are on edge as masked men are appearing and detaining their friends, relatives and neighbors without any clear sign they are part of federal immigration enforcement and refuse to show identification or a warrant. The Pasadena incident showed how social media can amplify an incident and highlight the lack of response from local officials. In a video posted to Instagram from Pasadena, a suspected federal agent is seen exiting a Dodge Charger at an intersection and pointing his gun at members of the public. In the video, a person walks up to the back of the Dodge Charger and appears to take a photo of the license plate. That's when the driver gets out of the vehicle and points a gun at the person who was behind the vehicle, then toward another person outside of the video frame. The word "Police" is visible on the driver's vest, along with a badge on his hip. After a few seconds, the man puts the gun away and gets back into the car as bystanders shout at him. The man then activates the vehicle's red and blue lights common to law enforcement vehicles and drives away. Citizens shared the vehicle's license plate on social media, which led to more questions than answers. According to Pasadena officials, the vehicle's license plate is a "cold plate," or untraceable, which is typically used by law enforcement in undercover criminal operations. "One question is this a law enforcement agent or someone pretending to be a law enforcement agent, and there is no good answer here," Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo told The Times. "[To] have a law enforcement agent draw his weapon and point it toward someone using their iPhone, and a crowd, is showing a lack of training and a lack of temperance in the use of force." He's still hopeful that the federal government will acknowledge the incident and provide some clarity. As more immigration sweeps happen, Gordo is worried that there could be an accidental shooting or that police could end up caught in the middle if unidentified federal agents are pulling out their guns in public. Previous administrations informed the city of enforcement actions to avoid accidental confrontations between law enforcement, according to Gordo. "Our police need to be aware of undercover or unmarked law enforcement operations. These operations are endangering everyone in our neighborhoods," he said. If citizens do encounter a matter where it appears that someone is impersonating law enforcement, they should call 911, Harris said. But local police will not interfere with federal activities, he said. "I understand the lingering fear in the community," Harris said. "I would tell [citizens] to defer to their own feelings, understand what's going on around them." He added that federal immigration activities in Pasadena have not impeded local police efforts or response times. There have been no arrests, property damage or violence related to protests against the immigration sweeps in Pasadena, officials said. About an hour's drive inland in Fontana, the lack of clarity is making work harder for local police who have been mistaken for federal immigration agents. Officers investigating a recent burglary were mistaken for federal immigration agents over social media, Fontana Police Sgt. Nathan Weiske said. In another instance, undercover officers were confronted by protesters who thought they were conducting surveillance for an immigration sweep. "It is not safe for our officers, or for others involved in any active police operations if misrepresentations or misunderstandings lead to inappropriate engagement," Fontana Police Chief Michael Dorsey said in a Facebook post. In some parts of the Southland, the response to the immigration raids can be swift and fierce. In Bell, masked men in fatigues detained at least three people at a car wash, drawing a large protest. Dozens of people swarmed the area and shouted at the agents, 'Are you a bounty hunter? How much is the bounty for an illegal right now?' questioning their identities. Video showed the men, wearing fatigues and balaclavas and carrying long weapons, fire tear gas to disperse the crowd so they could leave. The Department of Homeland Security said Border Patrol vehicles were damaged during the incident. Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores calls the federal government's presence in the region "political theater" meant to antagonize the Latino population. Flores plans to introduce a motion to the City Council that will direct local police to ask federal agents to identify themselves if they attempt to carry out an immigration operation in the city. "What happens if you have bad actors who decide to throw on an olive drab outfit and go around abducting people?" Flores told The Times. "I would not ask our officers to interfere with federal matters. But we have to be prepared to hold these agencies accountable for their actions. There's a tragedy waiting to happen." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thurston County Auditor's Office wins five national awards for public service projects
Jun. 20—The Thurston County Auditor's Office won five Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for standout programs that improved election security, expanded access to services and strengthened community trust, according to a county news release. The NACo Achievement Awards recognize innovative and effective county programs that make a difference for residents. "We work every year to improve how we serve our community," Mary Hall, Thurston County auditor, said in the release. "We innovate because it helps us do better. These awards reflect the spirit of our office, always looking for better ways to work." The auditor's office earned awards for the Elections Security Enhancement Program; the Saturday Passport Fairs; Voting Access at Your Library; Public Transit Partnership for Voter Access; and Your Neighbors, Your Elections. Thurston County Elections launched a major security upgrade for its new Voting and Ballot Processing Center, using federal grant funds. The Elections Security Enhancement Program installed ballistic-resistant materials like bulletproof glass, doors and sheetwork to create a secure safe room for election staff. The office also added on-site law enforcement during elections and worked closely with local and federal agencies to assess threats and improve emergency plans. To meet high demand for passport services, the auditor's office held two Saturday Passport Fairs in 2024. These events helped over 70 people apply for passports and took more than 50 passport photos. They were designed for people who couldn't make it during the week and helped reduce weekday wait times. The first fair included staff support from Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland's office and the Seattle Passport Agency. Thurston County Elections partnered with Timberland Regional Library to offer voter assistance at four library branches during the 2024 general election for the Voting Access at Your Library program. Trained library staff helped voters register and print replacement ballots, and election officials handled ballot collection. For the Public Transit Partnership for Voter Access program, Intercity Transit extended bus service to the Voting Center past 8 p.m. on Election Day, improved Americans with Disabilities Act access and updated route maps to highlight voting locations. Elections staff also used Intercity Transit's community vans to move between facilities, saving money and reducing parking issues. To help build trust in elections, Thurston County created a video campaign called "Your Neighbors, Your Elections" featuring real election workers sharing why they care about their jobs. Filmed inside the Ballot Processing and Voting Centers, the short videos show staff pride and commitment to integrity.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Advisory group says no — at least for now — to another Wichita school bond
An advisory group told Wichita school leaders Wednesday that the district needs to clarify its message and rebuild trust in the community before seeking another bond issue. District leaders wanted the financial oversight committee to recommend putting a bond issue to voters by March 2026. But committee members rejected that plan, saying the state's largest district has not made a clear case for why it needs a bond or precisely how it would use the money to rebuild and repair schools. 'I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but everyone I talked to said, 'What are you doing?' And angrily,' said Thomas Rose, a senior vice president for Commerce Bank and a member of the oversight committee. 'I honestly do not believe a bond issue will pass, even in March.' The group opted to not recommend any bond proposal to the Wichita school board for its July 7 meeting. Members recommended that the district transfer all year-end cash savings into its capital budget to pay for building repairs and upgrades. Earlier this year, voters narrowly rejected a $450 million bond issue to rebuild and repair Wichita's school facilities. Since then, the Wichita district has been searching for a plan to address aging buildings and declining enrollment. District leaders formed the financial oversight committee in response to the failed bond issue. Last month, members were directed to gauge community sentiment on three alternative bond plans. All three proposals were similar to the original bond, and all were linked to the district's facility master plan, which the school board approved last summer. Addi Lowell, chief financial officer for Wichita schools, recommended a new bond election either this coming November or March of 2026. That's because Wichita property owners are currently paying for a 2008 bond issue, and 7.5 mills for the bond and interest will come off of tax bills next year. Any bond issue after next spring would require a tax increase rather than 'zero rate change,' a tax-neutral argument supporters used during the last campaign. 'Once we lower the mill, it is very difficult to get it back up. Increasing property taxes is unpopular,' Lowell told the committee. 'No one likes paying bills … whether you support public education or not.' Lowell and two other district administrators on the committee — Deputy Superintendent Gil Alvarez and Chief Communications Officer Rachel Bell — leaned toward the March 2026 date because they said November wouldn't give the district time to craft its message. 'We didn't want to do another sprint to the finish,' Alvarez said. 'We want to make sure that we are addressing any lack of trust or transparency and really get the word out.' Several committee members said voters lost trust in the district after the 2008 bond issue, when several projects were scaled back or ditched altogether because of reduced state and federal funding. Among them: two new comprehensive high schools and a K-8 school in Bel Aire. 'What I've heard from folks: Accountability and transparency were not completely addressed in the most recent bond issue,' said Lindsay Poe Rousseau, chief financial officer for Sedgwick County. 'Even the folks who voted yes, the question is: What has changed? Why do we think that people will change their vote now? And there's still a reluctance by them to vote for another bond issue right now.' Trish Hileman, a parent who serves on the oversight committee, surveyed more than 100 district residents and said trust and transparency were common themes. She said the vast majority of people she talked to also opposed special elections for bond issues, which traditionally have much lower turnout than primary or general elections. 'They were like, 'Just put it on the general or shut up. Stop manipulating us,'' Hileman said. 'People are tired of being strategized.' Hileman said voters also wonder whether the district could rethink its overall master plan and scale down the next bond issue. 'It's important that what we put out we can get a 'yes' to,' she said. 'And if that means we make it smaller so that we can get a 'yes' and build on that … People want to say yes, so let's give them a really easy, clear path to say yes.' Sarah Amador, a parent and education consultant, agreed the district should consider a scaled-down bond issue. After voters in Kansas City, Kan., rejected a $420 million bond in April 2024, the district came back with a $180 million bond, which voters approved in November. 'You have to make it as small as possible, and you have to show them, 'Say yes to me here, and here's your result,'' Amador said. 'If we cannot do that, you're going to jump off a cliff. And the reality is very dire.' Lowell, the district CFO, said the district learned from the February bond campaign and plans to change its tactics. 'There's no way we could have known the distrust and the things that people were going to bring up in the election without doing the election,' she said. 'So, we learned a lot, and our communication strategy will look completely different this time.' Bell, the communications director, said any new campaign would take time. 'We didn't know that there was so much distrust surrounding the 2000 and the 2008 bonds. So understanding what those concerns are, so that we can address them, just takes a little bit of time,' she said. When they meet in July, school board members could decide to pursue another bond election despite the committee's reluctance. But board president Diane Albert, who serves on the committee, said the group's message was clear. 'There are real facility needs within the district that we have to address. But when we are using taxpayer dollars, we have to address that trust and transparency issue first,' Albert said. 'I think we can build trust and transparency, but we need to use this committee to do that and not just immediately start talking about another bond issue.' This story was originally published by KMUW
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Toronto police board to formalize how and when it says ‘sorry'
The Toronto Police Services emblem is photographed during a press conference at TPS headquarters, in Toronto on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov The Toronto Police Services Board is considering adopting a new policy that would set out how the police force offers formal apologies — who approves them, how they're delivered, and how victims are consulted. The policy is set to go before a board meeting on Thursday, If approved, it will apply to any formal apologies issued by Toronto's police chief or the board itself. Staff say that the policy is intended to 'build trust between the Service and the communities of Toronto.' But, the proposed policy also stipulates that no apology should be seen as an admission of legal liability. The move follows several high-profile apologies from the Toronto Police Service in recent years. In 2022, then-Chief James Ramer issued an 'unreserved' apology after race-based data showed that Black residents were significantly more likely to face police enforcement and use-of-force incidents. However, critics like University of Toronto professor Beverly Bain rejected the apology as lacking substance. A year earlier, Ramer also apologized for failings in missing persons investigations tied to serial killer Bruce McArthur. A report by retired judge Gloria Epstein found the disappearances of LGBTQ2S+ men in the Village were not taken seriously enough. Ramer called the findings 'inexcusable.' 'We recognize that there is more work ahead on many fronts,' Chief Myron Demkiw, wrote in a letter accompanying the proposed apology policy. 'We must continue to strengthen our relationships with various partners and communities across the city to build a solid safety network.' What's proposed in the new rules? Under the proposed policy, when apologies are made to communities over systemic or historical wrongs, police leadership will be required to strike an advisory group composed of key community representatives. That group will provide advice, cultural significance, and information to construct a formal apology, the staff report said. Apologies to individuals will require officials to consult with the impacted individual or their family prior to any formal apology. The board has not said when the final vote on the policy will take place. If approved, the guidelines would become a standard operating framework for all formal apologies moving forward. With files from CP24's Joanna Lavoie...
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘We feel it builds trust': Police back possible return of School Resource Officer program
London police are welcoming new provincial legislation mandating the return of school resource officers. CTV's Reta Ismail reports. It's been four years since a controversial police-in-schools program was paused by the London Police Service (LPS), but the province is introducing new legislation that will require school boards to implement the program. The decision to pause the School Resource Officer (SRO) program was made after some found it could be a source of trauma for racialized groups. A review was launched, led by leadership representatives from the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB), the public-school board, local police services (Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and London), and community leaders from Indigenous, Black, and people of colour communities, according to SRO Program Review Update. 'In 2021, as a result of feedback between police services, community leaders, and school boards, the program was paused until further review,' explained Inspector Pete Testa, LPS, Community Mobilization and Support. Testa said LPS fully supports having officers within the schools, 'We feel that it builds community trust, it provides support for youth, and it provides an opportunity for police to connect with the youth, and support people in vulnerable positions.' The LDCSB issued a statement to CTV News, saying, 'The LDCSB has always had an excellent working relationship with our local police services. We look forward to new opportunities to work together in collaborative ways that help our students and their families.' However, in response to an interview request regarding the return of the program, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) said, 'We will respectfully decline to comment at this time.' The proposed legislation announced May 29 would require school boards to implement a school resource officer (SRO) program, which places officers in elementary and high schools. LPS say they will be having conversations with school boards and stakeholders – when/if legislation passes.
