PORT TOWNSEND — Police Chief Conner Daily says he isn’t criticizing the U.S. Border Patrol, but he is making it clear that the federal agency and the Port Townsend Police Department operate separately.
“In 15 years, I have never needed a [language] translator here,” Daily told a full house at the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Fort Worden State Park Commons on Monday.
“In 15 years, I have never ran into an undocumented individual, and I don’t know how I would handle that if I did.”
Daily made it clear was that he would not be contacting the federal agency in either circumstance unless he needed to as a last resort.
“It is a choice we have made not to pursue federal crimes,” Daily said.
“We have a policy now concerning the involvement we take under these certain circumstances.”
Daily was speaking to the chamber after the Border Patrol began setting up immigration checkpoints on the North Olympic Peninsula, including at least twice just west of the Hood Canal Bridge on state Highway 104.
The controversial checkpoints have angered some residents of Jefferson County. Daily was among speakers scheduled at a community meeting on the issue with Border Patrol representatives on Monday night.
Also due to speak were Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Brasfield and an American Civil Liberties Union representative.
An estimated 300-400 people were attending the session in the Chimacum High School gym as it continued into the late evening.
A report on that meeting will appear in Wednesday’s editions of the Peninsula Daily News.
City policy
Earlier Monday, Daily told the chamber of the city Police Department’s policy toward the Border Patrol:
•âÇNo Port Townsend police officer will take over or participate in a pursuit originating from a Border Patrol checkpoint.
•âÇNo officer will participate in a Border Patrol checkpoint.
•âÇThe department will back up Border Patrol officers to ensure safety, but will not make any arrest based on probable cause as determined by the federal agency.
• The city will not become responsible for vehicles left behind as a result of a Border Patrol arrest.
•âÇNo city police officer will assist in a Border Patrol investigation without the approval of a supervisor.
•âÇIf translation is needed during routine contact with a civilian, a member from a list of community volunteers is to be contacted first. Border Patrol translators are to be used only as a last resort.
Daily said his primary goal was to enforce the laws of the state and the city.
“It’s a federal crime to turn around at a checkpoint to avoid it, but it is not a state crime,” Daily said.
“We will not get involved in such a pursuit.”
Hour-long meeting
Daily spoke and answered questions for an hour at the chamber meeting.
When asked about specifics of Border Patrol activity, Daily often said he did not know the answer.
“I don’t want to criticize the Border Patrol, but they are not as forthcoming with information as I would like,” he said.
“Info is king and they are reluctant to share it, as is the deal with most federal agencies — they don’t play well with others.
“Go to the airport and you can see they aren’t working well together.”
Daily said what he did know was that the Border Patrol will continue to increase their presence on the Peninsula.
“It is my understanding that they are going to be increasing to 125 agents, building a facility in Port Angeles and increasing their marine and air units,” he said.
“They won’t tell me if they ever plan to phase out . When I ask that, I get a nervous answer.”
Linked to Olympic Games?
When asked if he thought the increase in agents was connected to the elections and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Daily responded, “Yes, I do.”
The number of Border Patrol agents active throughout the North Olympic Peninsula has grown from four stationed in Port Angeles only two years ago to 24 now.
The beefed up Border Patrol presence on the Peninsula is part of a national strategy to increase protection on the nation’s northern line.
Out of the Border Patrol’s 16,371 agents nationwide, 1,470 have been deployed on the Canadian border from the North Olympic Peninsula to Maine, and that force is expected to grow to 2,200 by 2010.
Michael Bermudez, spokesman for the Border Patrol, has said the agency’s primary job is to achieve “operational control” of the nation’s borders through a five-fold strategy.
That strategy is to apprehend terrorists and their weapons, deter illegal entrance into the U.S., stop smugglers of drugs and people, develop “smart” border technology and cut crime in border communities.
Border Patrol roadblocks on U.S. Highway 101 north of Forks and on state Highway 104 near the Hood Canal Bridge have netted 25 arrests since they were stepped up about a month ago.
Most of those arrested were illegal immigrants, Border Patrol agents have said.
But some citizens with outstanding arrest warrants were also detained.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office sought translation services during a routine traffic stop on Oct. 1, leading to an immigration arrest by the Border Patrol.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@ peninsuladailynews.com.
