Bernard Parks - CD8

PARKS TO GOVERNOR BROWN: I.C.E.'S "SECURE COMMUNITIES" UNDERMINES EFFORTS OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

LA Councilmember and Former LAPD Chief Introduces Resolution Opposing Controversial Immigration Enforcement Program

LOS ANGELES — Councilmember and former LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks has introduced a resolution opposing the State of California’s participation in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) program, Secure Communities (S-Comm), indented to identify and deport illegal immigrants who have been convicted of violent crimes.

In a letter sent to Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris, Parks states:

“As a past Chief of Police for the City of Los Angeles, I understand the critical importance of fostering positive relationships between community members and law enforcement officials that lead to the sharing of critical information in reporting and solving crimes."

“The implementation of the Secure Communities program has been detrimental to the immigrant community and has proven to conflict with its stated purpose of targeting individuals convicted of serious criminal offenses. Across the nation, figures reflect that approximately 80% of those individuals detained by ICE under S-Comm were never convicted of a serious crime.”

Parks notes that the City of Los Angeles and LAPD have successfully operated under Special Order 40 – a directive that prevents LAPD officers from questioning community members for the sole purpose of determining immigration status – for over 30 years. The policy has been very effective in fostering trust and cooperation between the police and immigrant communities, by removing the threat of deportation for victims or witnesses of crimes, who may be undocumented.

The S-Comm program, as currently operated, is in direct contradiction to those efforts.

“Our community needs to feel comfortable sharing information with local law enforcement. Experience has shown that this open communication can prevent crime before it happens and help our officers close cases faster and with greater frequency," said Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry, a co-signer to the resolution who’s neighboring 9th District is home to large number of immigrants. "We need to ensure that we protect the important relationships that our officers have built with our communities so that they can do their jobs effectively and people continue to feel protected."

Parks and Perry join a growing number of individuals and organizations that are questioning the efficacy and true intent of the program, such as US Senator Robert Menendez (NJ), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-16th), Governor Pat Quinn (IL), Governor Andrew Cuomo (NY), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and The Los Angeles Times.

The Los Angeles City Council will consider Parks’ resolution next week.