From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement

The majority of Orange councilmembers said they agree federal agents
shouldnAt be masked during immigration sweeps, but they also said itAs not
the cityAs role to make demands on the matter and doubt they would have
any impact on how operations are carried out.

Authored by councilmembers Arianna Barrios and Ana Gutierrez, a resolution
the City Council considered this week was a response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in Orange County that residents
say have caused fear and confusion in immigrant neighborhoods.

The councilmembersA proposal didnAt attempt to override federal
immigration authority, but instead aimed to promote otransparency, accountability and public safetyo in the city, according to the draft language.

After hours of public comment and debate, the council voted 4-3 to table
the measure u choosing not to adopt or reject it for now. Several councilmembers said the resolution would have no practical effect, since
the city has no authority over how federal agents operate.

ItAs unclear if or when the resolution would return for another vote.

Barrios said the goal was to defend residentsA constitutional rights
without interfering in federal matters.

oIAm absolutely in support of strong borders. IAm in agreement in
deporting violent criminal aliens. I support the president every time he
says that, and I just pray itAs true,o Barrios said. oWhat IAm not in
support of is indiscriminate sweeps of our streets and neighborhoods. a I cannot stand by and watch our residentsA civil rights, due processes and freedoms, be in danger.o

The draft resolution would have called on all federal officers operating
in Orange to wear visible identification, avoid masks or disguises and
show proper ID upon request.

During the meeting, Barrios held up a black vest she said she bought on
Amazon to illustrate how easily someone could impersonate law enforcement.

oThis, and a really nice hat, and all of the accoutrements you can put
onto an outfit can instantly make you look like you have authority and
could do whatever you want to whoever you want in our community,o she
said.

Gutierrez also raised concerns about recent ICE actions.

oOur residents need to believe that we are looking out for them, and for
their safety, that we wonAt stand for them being in unnecessary danger.
The resolution is the minimum we can do to honor that commitment of
keeping our residents safe,o she said.

Orange Police Chief Adam Jevec, responding to a question from Gutierrez,
said local officers donAt operate the way some federal agents are
conducting immigration raids. Those operations u involving masked agents
and some in plainclothes u are being carried out across the state by ICE, Border Patrol and other special tactical teams from the Department of
Homeland Security.

oWe police differently, we are held to a higher standard,o Jevec said.
oThe expectation of our community is that we are transparent and are held accountable. ThatAs why we wear body-worn cameras, thatAs why we have
reports, thatAs why we have uniforms, name badges and policies that
represent that.o

He added that while local police canAt interfere with federal operations, their presence during raids can help reduce confusion.

Councilmember John Gyllenhammer supported most of the resolution but
worried it could limit law enforcement discretion.

oI do believe thereAs truth that lack of identification could lead to lack
of safety and additional conflict,o Gyllenhammer said. oAs a statement of opinion, IAm behind this.o

oI support 95% of this, given the fact that it is not a commitment to
being a sanctuary city,o he added.

But Gyllenhammer also said discouraging the use of face coverings entirely might take away a tool officers may need to protect themselves in high-
risk situations.

Mayor Dan Slater said he shared the concerns but didnAt believe the
resolution would change anything.

oI honestly donAt think the federal government is going to listen to what
the Orange City Council has to say. Santa Ana and L.A. are finding out the hard way that their efforts in this regard are being completely dismissed,
and in fact, theyAve been made targets,o Slater said.

oThis issue belongs squarely at the feet of Congress and the courts,o he
said. oMy fear is that by suggesting that the city of Orange has any
authority above the federal government, the military or ICE, is quite
frankly misleading the public.o

There are ongoing efforts at the federal and state levels to ban federal agents from wearing face coverings during enforcement sweeps and display
clear identification.

Councilmember John Dumitru echoed some concerns raised by Barrios and Gutierrez.

oIt does bother me that thereAs a bunch of folks running around that
arenAt in uniform,o he said. oI think that when you add in confusion, it creates unnecessary tension for everyone involved.o

But he ultimately dismissed the measure.

oItAs a piece of paper that doesnAt matter,o Dumitru said. oRight, wrong,
or indifferent, the city of Orange, when it comes to the government, is
going to be mute. They donAt care, specifically about us.o

After the vote, Barrios voiced frustration.

oWe wouldnAt even be here if you put a simple page on our website,o she
said. oThatAs what we asked for two weeks ago.o

A prior proposal by Barrios and Gutierrez to create an immigration
resource page on the city website was also rejected.

https://www.ocregister.com/2025/07/24/orange-council-shelves-resolution- calling-on-ice-to-be-unmasked/

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2