Moorhead City Council cool to idea of police ordinance

A request to have the Moorhead City Council pass an ordinance barring Moorhead police from entering into an agreement with federal officials on the issue of immigration enforcement prompted a strong response Monday.

Moorhead Police Chief David Ebinger told the council he strongly opposes the proposal brought by the Moorhead Human Rights Commission.

Ebinger said he has no plans to enter into such an agreement, so an ordinance was unnecessary. He also warned that adopting a rule that limits communication between local and federal agencies could hamper legitimate investigations.

Members of several community organizations spoke in favor of a so-called "separation of powers" ordinance, stating that it would promote trust between the local immigrant population and police.

Without an ordinance in place, individuals may be afraid to report crimes like domestic abuse because they are worried it would lead to questions about their residency status, said Lysa Ringquist, a community organizer with the People Escaping Poverty Project.

Ebinger said Moorhead police are not looking to deport people who are victims of crimes, and he said other than criminals, Moorhead residents don't have much to fear from a police officer.

Ebinger criticized an image connected with the proposed separation ordinance that was placed on the social website Facebook, an image showing three police officers frisking a person of color.

"We've got to address fear in this community," Ebinger said. "We're not going to get there by fostering fear."

After Monday's City Council meeting, Raul Fernandez, executive director of Centro Cultural in Moorhead, defended the illustration, stating it doesn't foster fear, but reflects the fear that exists in the local minority community.

Although City Council support for a separation ordinance did not appear forthcoming Monday, Fernandez said he saw the meeting as a first step toward building stronger trust between police and communities of color.

During Monday's meeting, Ebinger indicated it might be appropriate for him to develop, possibly in conjunction with Fargo Police Chief Keith Ternes, a directive stating what they expect from their departments when it comes to situations that could involve immigration issues.

Ebinger said law enforcement executives from the Fargo Police Department to the West Fargo Police Department and the Cass and Clay sheriff's departments have all stated they are not interested in a federal program that essentially makes police officers deputy immigration agents.

Councilman Mark Altenburg assured the groups that spoke at Monday's council meeting: "Even if we reject this suggestion, we're not rejecting our neighbors."

Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555