Sheriff’s and police officials in San Bernardino County are urging residents to be wary of misinformation and false rumors as widespread federal immigration enforcement operations throughout Southern California keep tensions and emotions high.
Deputies have been mistaken for ICE agents, leading to confrontations in communities, officials said. Protests have sprung up around hotels rumored to being housing federal authorities. In one instance, a sheriff’s employee was “run off the road” when their unmarked unit was mistaken by an attacker as an ICE vehicle.
Sheriff’s vehicles mistaken for ICE
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department issued two statements Thursday seeking to clarify recent false rumors and urge the public to be cautious of the spread of misinformation.
Several issues have arisen from unmarked patrol vehicles being mistaken for federal agents.
“Our department has a fleet of unmarked vehicles in all colors, makes and models for various assignments and uses, non of which include immigration enforcement.,” the department said via social media.
‘We have had two incidents of our sheriff’s department personnel targeted while driving our unmarked units and in one case they were run off the road,” the statement said. “Let’s clear up the confusion and protect everyone in our community.”
Further details regarding the incident in which sheriff’s personnel were mistakenly targeted were not available Thursday.
Hotel protests
Hotels across Southern California have become a focus of recent anti-immigration enforcement demonstrations when rumors have emerged they were housing ICE agents, including some in San Bernardino County.
Several federal agencies make use of local hotels for “various reasons, and are not involved in immigration enforcement, according to the sheriff’s department.
Nonetheless, so called “no sleep” protests have taken place at area hotels.
“These individuals are not ICE agents and are not involved in any immigration enforcement activities,” according to a public notice from the sheriff’s department. “Not only are they disturbing agents who have no involvement with ICE, but they are disturbing uninvolved paying guests. Let’s stay informed and be respectful of all guests and personnel in our community.”
‘Unnecessary strife’
Fontana Police Chief Michael Dorsey also reached out to the public to quell some recent false rumors that have disseminated primarily through social media.
Such posts “have the potential to cause unnecessary strife in our great city,” he warned in a written statement.
“These posts are riddled with misinformation and have already been the source of conflict with several of your Fontana Police Officers,” he said, adding it was not clear whether the misinformation was being spread by error or intentionally.
“On several occasions, members of the Fontana Police Department have been misidentified as ICE and/or federal law enforcement officers engaged in immigration enforcement. These misunderstandings have led to activity from uninvolved individuals that disrupt active police operations,” according to Dorsey.
“As your Chief of Police, let me be clear. The Fontana Police Department is committed to protecting and serving all members of our community,” he said. “Our mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, or visits our city. California law, including the California Values Act (SB 54), guides how local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities.”
Fontana police do not ask about immigration status, he said. “That information is not relevant to Fontana Police Department operations.”
“We believe that no one should fear contacting the police to report a crime, seek help, or cooperate in an investigation because of their immigration status,” the chief continued. “Our officers are here to serve you — to respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, and maintain public safety.”
Public safety depends on all residents feeling both safe and respected, Dorsey added.
“Trust is essential to effective policing, and we will continue working hard to maintain that trust every day. While we continue to work to earn the trust that you have placed in us, we ask that you allow officers to carry out their duties without interference. It is not safe for our officers, or for others involved in any active police operations if misrepresentations or misunderstandings lead to inappropriate engagement. We appreciate your trust and your support.”
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: San Bernardino Co. law enforcement officials warn of ‘misinformation’ surrounding ICE activity
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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