During the public comments portion of the meeting, council member and Mayor Pro-Tem Cara McFerren said she had received several concerns from residents who were “extremely worried” about immigration and members of the community being at risk in light of President Donald Trump’s new administration alongside news of surrounding areas seeing immigration raids and arrests.
McFerren said she spoke with Police Chief Joshua Houser and City Manager Lee Geertz about these concerns, with both stating that they were aware of these concerns. Council member Dominquez said she had also received similar concerns from the community and appreciated McFerren for being proactive.
Geertz added that she and Chief Houser were working on a public statement she hopes will minimize local fear by providing facts on how the city does its community policing, the expectations that the mayor and council have for the police department, and how Chief Houser manages and engages with that community policing expectation.
“That’s what we’re here to do,” Geertz said. “To protect and serve our community and build a rapport and relationship, no matter what the status of our individuals are in our community. It’s not that we’re turning a blind eye, it’s just not the position of the West Liberty Police Department or the city to enforce immigration law.”