Addressing Fear, Negative Perception & Clarifying Procedure

Addressing Fear, Fighting Negative Perception & Clarifying Procedure.

At last week’s Ossining Village Board of Trustee’s meeting my colleague and I made a simple request regarding our local police department’s role and current operations when ICE comes into our community.

The proposal was to give a directive to the Ossining Police Department to stop their practice of escorting and/or observing ICE during questioning, raids or arrest in our community. I understand this is a difficult & controversial topic to discuss. Our key leaders with good intention do their best to protect & unite our community. It remains the responsibility as legislators & appointed officials to oversee such procedures and how they are affecting the community.

This conversation was tabled and scheduled for a continued discussion at our work session tonight, Thursday, July 25th at 7:30pm at 16 Croton Ave (Village Hall)

Our directive remains the same, for OPD to stop escorting & observing ICE. This can simply be accomplished together with the Chief by a written directive from the Village Board/Police Commission and can go into effect immediately.

This is the only tool we have in our role as local elected officials to help alleviate the fear and perception that our local police is cooperating and working with ICE. In addition- our community needs to have a full understanding of our local police procedure when escorting and/or observing ICE. Step by step. Even if it means going over it again or publishing it throughout the community.

Trustee Bazemore and I knew very well that this proposal would draw a response from the general public and we feel that the people who are directly affected by this have important input that needs to be heard. For this reason we requested that our board make an exception and allow public comment for this particular item at our work session. Unfortunately, that was denied and the public will have a chance to address the board at the following legislative session or by emailing BOT@villageofossining.org.

Yes, we have strived to do great work in building trust between our local Board of Trustees & Police Department-but its not enough and during this heightened climate of hate, fear & uncertainty- we can do better. I’m hopeful we can have a productive discussion and move forward together.