OLA public safety law

OLA of Eastern Long Island's executive director urged a real work-session dialogue on the OLA law, saying it's about public safety planning, not stopping ICE.

Criticized the board's treatment of Latino residents and urged members to set aside personal bias and support the OLA resolution.

Urged passage of the OLA law, citing data on US citizen children separated from detained parents and the trauma to local children.

Spoke of 'radical empathy,' described a detained Riverhead mother and her children, and urged the board to support the OLA legislation.

Questioned transparency and accountability of federal ICE actions and urged local protection through the OLA law.

Asked whom elected officials are responsible for protecting, arguing officials must care for everyone in the community regardless of status.

Described a Polish man asking for directions and criticized a board member's July 21 comments, saying the town's reputation is suffering nationally.

Said the OLA law isn't anti-ICE but creates transparency and accountability so residents can report crimes and access services without fear.

Supported ICE enforcement against criminals, citing MS-13, but expressed growing concern about civil violations being punished and urged a bipartisan task force discussion.

Urged review of the OLA law, citing East End residents with no criminal records or with work permits being picked up by ICE.

Longtime civic advocate spoke about children's fear and anxiety from ICE enforcement and the need to preserve the farming culture immigrants sustain.

United Methodist Immigration Task Force member described her own family's fear and reported ICE activity on Malene Avenue that morning.

A brand-new US citizen from Wading River said she was terrified to come to Riverhead while her passport was processed because she had no documentation.

Called this a turning point and urged the board to discuss the OLA legislation like other East End towns have.

Sagaponack community organizer urged passage of the OLA law and cited reporting on ICE's planned shock gloves.

Said ICE agents lack training and follow no protocol, creating danger for bystanders, and urged the board to read and discuss the OLA proposal.

Asked the board to sponsor his proposed resolution requiring written clarification of the town's immigration-related policies under state law; no member committed.

Delivered a petition urging the board to pass the East End public safety and accountability law so local police know when federal agents operate in town.

Cited Cato Institute data showing immigrants commit crime at lower rates than native-born Americans and said the OLA proposal is a public safety issue for the town's Latino residents.

An OLA board member from East Marion urged adoption of the East End public safety law to coordinate local responses to ICE raids.

By Zoom, urged adoption of the OLA law, comparing school resource officers' community relationships to what the law would extend town-wide.

A youth program worker described fear among Latino families keeping kids from programs and urged the board to pass the OLA law and form a task force.

Questioned why ICE agents operate masked and unidentified and urged board members to actually read the OLA law and meet with its drafters.

By Zoom, cited an AP investigation into ICE hiring problems and pushed back on Councilman Rothwell's comments about gang activity.

Urged the board to read the OLA law and survey the town's 30,000 residents on it.