Watertown Police Writing Policy for Dealing with Immigrants, Sanctuary City Question Remains

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The Watertown Police Department will soon be releasing a written policy about how officers deal with immigrants, and will be reviewed by the Town Council.

Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday night that he expects it to be finished sometime in June.

The Town Council has also been asked to pass a Sanctuary City ordinance to join other communities that have vowed to protect immigrants, documented or not. Town Council President Mark Sideris said Tuesday that he has not scheduled a date to discuss the subject.

“I want to wait for the (Police Department’s) policy to see what it says, first,” Sideris said.

The Police Department has had an unwritten policy of not asking about a person’s immigration status during routine traffic stops or incidents. Police Chief Michael Lawn said in January that he wants all residents of Watertown to feel safe calling police when they need them.

The town has been debating whether to become a Sanctuary City. A rally was held in support of Immigrants where many encourage the Town Council to adopt a Sanctuary City ordinance as other towns have. There has also been a vocal opposition to the movement, with many saying the town already has a policy that does not seek to deport illegal immigrants so becoming a Sanctuary City is not necessary.

5 thoughts on “Watertown Police Writing Policy for Dealing with Immigrants, Sanctuary City Question Remains

  1. You state “The town has been debating whether to become a Sanctuary City”. Are you telling me that the town council or town manager has been debating if Watertown should become a sanctuary city? Your article indicates such.

  2. Can we see the proposal before it goes to the town council? If we become a Sanctuary City do we loose federal funding? Can the police chielf have an open forum with the public? Just too many unanswered questions.

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