5.1. Consideration of a resolution relating to the preservation of the public trust in law enforcement officers and law enforcement agencies. (Barrios & Gutierrez)
I fully support the resolution
We as Americans need to protect the constitutional rights of the people.
We should not allow unlawful arrests that do not meet the requirements of the 4th amendment
Hello, my name is Chelsea Wojtkiewicz. I have been an Orange resident for over 30 years and I am now raising my family here. It is with great love for my neighbors and community that I write to you today.
I support Item 5.1 and encourage all our city council members to do the same. No one in our community should fear being kidnapped as they go about their daily lives. It is unacceptable that federal agents are attempting arrests without providing warrants or identifying themselves. I urge our city council to take action and protect our community.
It is my understanding that you will be considering agenda item 5.1 tonight to vote on a resolution regarding preserving public trust in law enforcement interactions. This resolution stems from troubling interactions and incidences of Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operating throughout the City and County of Orange while wearing face coverings and shielding themselves from proper identification.
While ICE plays a role in enforcing immigration law, residents are growing increasingly concerned about the legitimacy of these masked individuals and their connection to law enforcement. There have been several documented accounts of impersonation for the sole purpose of aggravation and detention of targeted individuals and groups. These impersonators do not intend to uphold the law, but to violate the rights of others. Without proper distinction and clear identification, there is nothing preventing everyday citizens from illegitimately claiming to be law enforcement and using that concealed identity to commit crimes in our community.
Further, face coverings and anonymity also pose a significant threat to our local law enforcement officers, who put their lives and identity on the line every day to serve our community with transparency and integrity. We cannot expect them to determine and accept the legitimacy of covert federal operations under the guise of facial masks and plain clothes. This ambiguously could result in unwarranted injuries, potentially death, and no accountability. We have already received reports of altercations and shootings happening throughout the nation because of these bandit-style raids.
I respectfully urge the City Council to consider and pass resolution XX and formally request that all law enforcement agencies adopt practices that promote accountability and transparency to ensure the safety of our constituents and visitors in the City of Orange. True justice does not hide; its confidence and strength is revealed in the light of truth.
With roughly $19 million dollars deficient in the city budget, the City of Orange should be focusing on promoting a welcoming and safe environment to reestablish the economic well-being of the city.
Most importantly, councilmembers and Mayor Dan Slater must make sure Orange is safe and welcoming for the people that call it home. Allowing federal agents to audaciously behave unconstitutionaly deters from this vision.
Furthermore, in anticipation for back-to-school preparations, it is also asked that the city of Orange and the Orange Unified School District ensure the same for the thousands of children deserving of a safe and calm learning environment.
This resolution will do just that. The mayor and city council hold the responsibility to uphold these necessities for the children; while also keeping bigotry and hatred in check. Let's truly uphold the charming old-towne presence of the City of Orange.
ICE and Homeland Security entering our communities’ wearing masks and lacking any visible identification undermines the transparency and accountability that are essential to building trust. All I ask is that ICE and Homeland Security be held to the same standards of transparency and accountability as our Orange Police Department—nothing more.
My wife and I would like to go on record in support of this resolution relating to the preservation of the public trust in law enforcement officers and law enforcement agencies by Council Members Barrios & Gutierrez. As the resolution clearly outlines, this is an issue both of the public's trust and safety.
In the former category why I.C.E. agents are wearing masks? It is noteworthy that this seems to be a new practice for a federal agency and that no other federal police or enforcement agencies hide their identities with masks. Additionally, we can think of no city, municipal, or California state agencies which wear such masks.
As regards safety issues, the resolution notes recent actions where individuals impersonating I.C.E agents have kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or stolen from victims under such disguises.
For these and other reasons as listed by supporters of this resolution, we ask all Orange Council Members, including our District Two representative John Dimitru, to pass this legally-binding resolution.
I fully support this resolution and effort to restore safety, accountability, and trust. Law enforcement in Orange and throughout the country display proper identification every single day and do not hide behind masks. The federal government’s agents must do the same - we cannot tolerate a secret police force. It holds them accountable, especially when they violate the constitutional rights of the people. Expecting less from the federal government than we do of our local law enforcement is wrong and dangerous and provides no accountability for the actions taken. By allowing a lack of accountability on the part of the federal agents, our local law enforcement is left with a populace that has less trust in them, making their job more difficult.
I fully support the resolution that council members Gutierrez and Barrios have put forth. Unidentified federal agents should not be wearing masks, carrying guns and terrorizing our neighborhoods. They have been kidnapping people off the street because of the color of their skin. I believe that is racial profiling. This is hurting businesses in our community. Workers are afraid to patronize businesses for fear of being picked up citizen or not. They should have a warrant if they arrest someone. Everyone has a right to due process no matter what. I only hope this nightmare will end soon as it stresses me everyday.
I support this and completely agree with the recent comments sent to the VOC from member Jon Dumitru,“I also strongly believe that ICE officers need to be clearly identifiable—either in uniform or clearly marked clothing. That is a basic expectation in a society governed by transparency and accountability. Confusion about who is enforcing the law creates unnecessary tension and risk for everyone involved,” I stand with all our efforts to build and bridge trust (by our women and men in OPD) for everyone.
Dear Honorable Members of the City Of Orange Council,
I am writing to express my unequivocal support for the proposed Resolution to Preserve the Public Trust in Law Enforcement Interactions. This thoughtful measure demonstrates a firm commitment to accountability, community safety, and the responsible exercise of government authority within the City of Orange.
The resolution rightly acknowledges both the federal government’s constitutional authority over immigration and the need for clear boundaries to ensure this authority is exercised in a manner that respects the rights, safety, and peace of our local communities. Recent enforcement actions by federal agents — conducted while wearing face coverings and without visible identification — have understandably provoked fear, confusion, and distrust among residents. Such practices risk undermining public confidence not only in federal agencies, but in local law enforcement as well.
By requiring federal agents to display proper identification and refrain from using disguises while conducting operations within city limits, this resolution provides a practical, constitutionally sound framework to restore transparency and protect residents from impersonators and unauthorized individuals who may pose serious threats.
I commend the Council for taking proactive steps to uphold the public trust, protect the well-being of vulnerable populations, and ensure that law enforcement interactions are professional and accountable. Your leadership in advancing this resolution reflects a deep respect for the people of Orange and our shared values of safety, dignity, and democratic oversight.
Thank you for your dedication to making our community safer and more just.
I believe in the safety of our federal authorities. The violence and bad behavior toward them necessitates their protection. They have other identifying information on them. I believe that proper behavior begets proper behavior.
I strongly support this resolution requiring transparency and to insure accountability for the acts of ICE agents. It is difficult to hold people accountable for their actions when their faces are covered, and there is no way to identify them. The ICE agents know this. This resolution is also critical to the community to maintain its trust in local law enforcement.
My husband and I are very pleased that the Orange City Council will discuss the proposed law barring federal enforcement from wearing face masks. All of us feel more secure when law enforcement behave professionally, which means disclosing their identity and following all laws.
I am fully in support of this measure. The fact that we as a society are now letting masked, armed men grab anyone off the street that they “think might be undocumented”, often without identification , warrants, and using violent tactics is absolutely un-American, and makes all of us less safe. Thank you Ms Barrios and Ms Gutierrez for showing true leadership with this resolution.
As a city resident I implore the City Council to please approve the resolution for humanitarian and justice reasons. We don't want federal agents scaring our immigrant community for non-judicial and non-safety reasons.
As a city resident I implore the City Council to please approve the resolution for humanitarian and justice reasons. We don't want federal agents scaring our immigrant community for non-judicial and non-safety reasons.
I applaud your efforts and hope the rest of the council approves your initiate. The “conservative” council needs to wake up and realize that this community was built by immigrants. Provide the services and protections our founding fathers fought for!
I fully support the resolution
We as Americans need to protect the constitutional rights of the people.
We should not allow unlawful arrests that do not meet the requirements of the 4th amendment
Hello, my name is Chelsea Wojtkiewicz. I have been an Orange resident for over 30 years and I am now raising my family here. It is with great love for my neighbors and community that I write to you today.
I support Item 5.1 and encourage all our city council members to do the same. No one in our community should fear being kidnapped as they go about their daily lives. It is unacceptable that federal agents are attempting arrests without providing warrants or identifying themselves. I urge our city council to take action and protect our community.
Dear Mayor Slater and Councilmembers,
It is my understanding that you will be considering agenda item 5.1 tonight to vote on a resolution regarding preserving public trust in law enforcement interactions. This resolution stems from troubling interactions and incidences of Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operating throughout the City and County of Orange while wearing face coverings and shielding themselves from proper identification.
While ICE plays a role in enforcing immigration law, residents are growing increasingly concerned about the legitimacy of these masked individuals and their connection to law enforcement. There have been several documented accounts of impersonation for the sole purpose of aggravation and detention of targeted individuals and groups. These impersonators do not intend to uphold the law, but to violate the rights of others. Without proper distinction and clear identification, there is nothing preventing everyday citizens from illegitimately claiming to be law enforcement and using that concealed identity to commit crimes in our community.
Further, face coverings and anonymity also pose a significant threat to our local law enforcement officers, who put their lives and identity on the line every day to serve our community with transparency and integrity. We cannot expect them to determine and accept the legitimacy of covert federal operations under the guise of facial masks and plain clothes. This ambiguously could result in unwarranted injuries, potentially death, and no accountability. We have already received reports of altercations and shootings happening throughout the nation because of these bandit-style raids.
I respectfully urge the City Council to consider and pass resolution XX and formally request that all law enforcement agencies adopt practices that promote accountability and transparency to ensure the safety of our constituents and visitors in the City of Orange. True justice does not hide; its confidence and strength is revealed in the light of truth.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
In Service,
AVELINO VALENCIA
Assemblymember, 68th District
With roughly $19 million dollars deficient in the city budget, the City of Orange should be focusing on promoting a welcoming and safe environment to reestablish the economic well-being of the city.
Most importantly, councilmembers and Mayor Dan Slater must make sure Orange is safe and welcoming for the people that call it home. Allowing federal agents to audaciously behave unconstitutionaly deters from this vision.
Furthermore, in anticipation for back-to-school preparations, it is also asked that the city of Orange and the Orange Unified School District ensure the same for the thousands of children deserving of a safe and calm learning environment.
This resolution will do just that. The mayor and city council hold the responsibility to uphold these necessities for the children; while also keeping bigotry and hatred in check. Let's truly uphold the charming old-towne presence of the City of Orange.
Ron Esparza, City of Orange Resident
ICE and Homeland Security entering our communities’ wearing masks and lacking any visible identification undermines the transparency and accountability that are essential to building trust. All I ask is that ICE and Homeland Security be held to the same standards of transparency and accountability as our Orange Police Department—nothing more.
My wife and I would like to go on record in support of this resolution relating to the preservation of the public trust in law enforcement officers and law enforcement agencies by Council Members Barrios & Gutierrez. As the resolution clearly outlines, this is an issue both of the public's trust and safety.
In the former category why I.C.E. agents are wearing masks? It is noteworthy that this seems to be a new practice for a federal agency and that no other federal police or enforcement agencies hide their identities with masks. Additionally, we can think of no city, municipal, or California state agencies which wear such masks.
As regards safety issues, the resolution notes recent actions where individuals impersonating I.C.E agents have kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or stolen from victims under such disguises.
For these and other reasons as listed by supporters of this resolution, we ask all Orange Council Members, including our District Two representative John Dimitru, to pass this legally-binding resolution.
Sincerely,
David Keller & Shelly Parsons
I fully support this resolution and effort to restore safety, accountability, and trust. Law enforcement in Orange and throughout the country display proper identification every single day and do not hide behind masks. The federal government’s agents must do the same - we cannot tolerate a secret police force. It holds them accountable, especially when they violate the constitutional rights of the people. Expecting less from the federal government than we do of our local law enforcement is wrong and dangerous and provides no accountability for the actions taken. By allowing a lack of accountability on the part of the federal agents, our local law enforcement is left with a populace that has less trust in them, making their job more difficult.
I fully support the resolution that council members Gutierrez and Barrios have put forth. Unidentified federal agents should not be wearing masks, carrying guns and terrorizing our neighborhoods. They have been kidnapping people off the street because of the color of their skin. I believe that is racial profiling. This is hurting businesses in our community. Workers are afraid to patronize businesses for fear of being picked up citizen or not. They should have a warrant if they arrest someone. Everyone has a right to due process no matter what. I only hope this nightmare will end soon as it stresses me everyday.
I support this and completely agree with the recent comments sent to the VOC from member Jon Dumitru,“I also strongly believe that ICE officers need to be clearly identifiable—either in uniform or clearly marked clothing. That is a basic expectation in a society governed by transparency and accountability. Confusion about who is enforcing the law creates unnecessary tension and risk for everyone involved,” I stand with all our efforts to build and bridge trust (by our women and men in OPD) for everyone.
Dear Honorable Members of the City Of Orange Council,
I am writing to express my unequivocal support for the proposed Resolution to Preserve the Public Trust in Law Enforcement Interactions. This thoughtful measure demonstrates a firm commitment to accountability, community safety, and the responsible exercise of government authority within the City of Orange.
The resolution rightly acknowledges both the federal government’s constitutional authority over immigration and the need for clear boundaries to ensure this authority is exercised in a manner that respects the rights, safety, and peace of our local communities. Recent enforcement actions by federal agents — conducted while wearing face coverings and without visible identification — have understandably provoked fear, confusion, and distrust among residents. Such practices risk undermining public confidence not only in federal agencies, but in local law enforcement as well.
By requiring federal agents to display proper identification and refrain from using disguises while conducting operations within city limits, this resolution provides a practical, constitutionally sound framework to restore transparency and protect residents from impersonators and unauthorized individuals who may pose serious threats.
I commend the Council for taking proactive steps to uphold the public trust, protect the well-being of vulnerable populations, and ensure that law enforcement interactions are professional and accountable. Your leadership in advancing this resolution reflects a deep respect for the people of Orange and our shared values of safety, dignity, and democratic oversight.
Thank you for your dedication to making our community safer and more just.
Sincerely,
A resident of the city of Orange.
I support this resolution. We need to ensure that due process and civil rights are granted to everyone in our city.
I believe in the safety of our federal authorities. The violence and bad behavior toward them necessitates their protection. They have other identifying information on them. I believe that proper behavior begets proper behavior.
I strongly support this resolution requiring transparency and to insure accountability for the acts of ICE agents. It is difficult to hold people accountable for their actions when their faces are covered, and there is no way to identify them. The ICE agents know this. This resolution is also critical to the community to maintain its trust in local law enforcement.
This is the liberty and justice for all that we grew up preaching about!! I fully support NOT VIOLATING CIVIL RIGHTS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS!
My husband and I are very pleased that the Orange City Council will discuss the proposed law barring federal enforcement from wearing face masks. All of us feel more secure when law enforcement behave professionally, which means disclosing their identity and following all laws.
I am fully in support of this measure. The fact that we as a society are now letting masked, armed men grab anyone off the street that they “think might be undocumented”, often without identification , warrants, and using violent tactics is absolutely un-American, and makes all of us less safe. Thank you Ms Barrios and Ms Gutierrez for showing true leadership with this resolution.
As a city resident I implore the City Council to please approve the resolution for humanitarian and justice reasons. We don't want federal agents scaring our immigrant community for non-judicial and non-safety reasons.
As a city resident I implore the City Council to please approve the resolution for humanitarian and justice reasons. We don't want federal agents scaring our immigrant community for non-judicial and non-safety reasons.
I absolutely support Item 5.1. This is the United States of America. We don't tolerate masked, unidentified law enforcement.
I applaud your efforts and hope the rest of the council approves your initiate. The “conservative” council needs to wake up and realize that this community was built by immigrants. Provide the services and protections our founding fathers fought for!