Does Mayor's Public Statement of Support For All Immigrants Eliminate General Order 2009-11?

A November 23rd submission (and January 13th resubmission) to the Board of Alderman regarding the Mayor's public statement supporting all immigrants and whether this includes elimination of the SPD’s General Order 2009-11 (which states in part that the SPD’s policy regarding the notification of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency will only be authorized by a lieutenant or above if a non-resident is arrested for murder, sexual offenses, narcotics trafficking and other like serious offenses) will be discussed at tonight's Committee on Public Health and Public Safety meeting.

As many of you may remember, Mayor Joe Curtatone publicly stated that police in Somerville will not require residents to show proof of citizenship or immigration documentation during routine stops in the city on November 10th at City Hall. A clarification of this proclamation is being sought by Ward 1 Alderman, Bill Roche and Alderman-At-Large, Dennis Sullivan (January 13th submission co-sponsor). The initial November submission of this order drew concern from immigrant rights champion and Ward 6 Alderman, Rebekah Gewirtz.

Other items on tonight's agenda include:

· 190167: Schedule meeting with Administration to discuss the Evaluation and Strategic Plan for the Fire Department.

· 190375: Discuss in Committee That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss the impact of the use of brick cross walks, their impact on the handicapped community, the measures in place to ensure that such cross walks comply with all state regulations and whether such cross walks should be used in future road work.

· 190411: Discuss in Committee That the Chief of Police inform This Board If the Mayor’s public statement of the city’s support of all immigrants includes eliminating the SPD’s General Order 2009-11, which states in part that notification of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will only be authorized if a non-resident is arrested for murder, sexual Offenses, narcotics trafficking, or other serious offenses.

· 190439: Discuss in Committee That the Chief of Police recommend to this Board, specific places on the community path where more lighting could be added.

· 190537: Discuss in Committee That the Commissioner of Public Works provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with a listing of ramps that have been requested to be made ADA compliant, indicating those that have been completed.

· 190682: Discuss in Committee That the Commissioner of Public Works inform this Board on the most recent reconstruction and re-design of the Somerville Avenue, Elm Street and Wilson Square area, which was intended to address potential accidents.

· 190685: Discuss in Committee That the Chief of Police and the Director of SPCD (ISD) create a plan to address noise issues at 26 Mansfield Street and 9 Ward Street.

· 190697: Discuss in Committee That the Chief of Police inform this Board if the Mayor’s public statement of the city’s support of all immigrants includes eliminating the SPD’s General Order 2009-11, which states in part that notification of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will only be authorized if a non-resident is arrested for murder, sexual offenses, narcotics trafficking, or other serious offenses. (2nd request)

Meeting details:

Public Health and Public Safety Committee

January 25th, 2011 at 6pm

Committee Room of City Hall

Agenda