Amid concerns over an immigration crackdown in Milwaukee, local officials will decide how, when ICE officers can use county park land for staging
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Amid growing concerns over an immigration crackdown in Milwaukee, local officials discussed the possibility of ICE officers using county parks for law enforcement efforts.
On Thursday morning, Jan. 22, the Milwaukee County Parks and Culture committee passed a motion to amend a resolution defining when and how this could be done.
The sponsored resolution would require prior written authorization if law enforcement was to stage on county park land.
It would not impact local law enforcement agencies, general enforcement, emergency responses or routine patrolling -- rather focusing only on non-routine activities.
There were six "ayes" and one "no" after hours of debate between supervisors, committee and non-committee members.
"It's not only protecting the people, but the sheriffs, the park rangers, the park employees, and the staff that works in our parks," said District 13 Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones. "This is creating the structure so that certain events and things do not happen in the park that isn't intended to."
District 17 Supervisor Steve Taylor, who voted no, brought up concerns with how the written authorization would be enforced.
"How is this going to be enforced if they just say screw you, we're going to do this, we're going to set up shop right here, right now and we're not filling out an application?" Taylor said. "I want to see fairness, so if ICE can operate the exact same way as these pop-up protesters, they shouldn't be treated any differently."
Coggs-Jones then responded back, noting that the comparison between pop-up protests and ICE agents are "two separate entities."
"ICE really puts a lot of fear into people whereas a protest is to put forth a sense of protection for the people," Coggs-Jones said.
According to Milwaukee County Corporation Counsel Scott Brown, the enforcement right now comes down to entities like the sheriff's office.
Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Brian Barkow said their goal is to always work collaboratively with the parks department and other officials.
Now the discussion will be moved in front of the entire Milwaukee County board during their next meeting on Feb. 5.