The Oroville City Council last night voted to declare itself a non-sanctuary city.
State law — SB 54 — declares California a sanctuary state, and limits the way local law enforcement can interact with federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Councilors voted to push back against SB 54, while noting that the resolution was largely symbolic.
“By making this declaration, it does at least put a flag on the radar to those in Sacramento that communicates that we in the North State do not agree with open border policies,” said councilmember Scott Thompson who presented the resolution. “We do not agree with making our communities more dangerous — allowing repeat offenders who are continually violating the law to continue to have their way and we’re just okay with it. ”
Thompson said he feels that sanctuary policies prioritize the rights of criminals over the safety of residents, and that police officers should not be required to let repeat offenders go. He listed the crimes that a person could commit in California without being reported to ICE.
“That includes possession of illegal drugs, public intoxication, DUIs, suspended license, theft, shoplifting, burglary, vandalism, property destruction, trespassing, misdemeanor violence, restraining order violations, child endangerment, fraud, identity theft, including use of false security numbers, possessing fake IDs, welfare fraud, simple battery, noninjury, assault charges and also being convicted — not just charged — but also being known as a gang member in our in our area,” Thompson said.
Thompson predicted that Oroville would support public safety, as residents have in the past.
But contention arose regarding some parts of the resolution, including an item that said city administration should implement the declaration in city policy and procedures. That part of the resolution was ultimately changed, as many council members saw it as risking breaking state law, even though the remainder of the resolution calls for law enforcement agencies to do just that.
Oroville resident Kimberly Mitchell was the sole person to speak during public comment about the item, addressing the council before they voted on the resolution.
“The crime rates that we are experiencing in Oroville, I would argue, are systemic and result from a lack of social services to the people that need them,” Mitchell said. “We are over here making a symbolic gesture of our loyalty to the Trump administration and missing an opportunity to use our time, resources, energy and money to be investing back into our local economy and our local people so that they can stay off the street.”
When Mitchell finished her comments, council members proceeded to add details supporting related legislation and Huntington Beach, which recently passed a similar resolution.
The council then voted unanimously in favor of adopting the resolution.
