HRC Minutes 101419 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A. Sheriff Blackwood discussed recent controversial events associated with his office. He began by discussing NC House Bill 370 and his department’s position on enforcing immigration laws in Orange County. He explained that the Sherriff’s department works with other organizations like Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), but the Orange County Sherriff department’s primary mission is to uphold the laws of this county and not immigration laws. Sheriff stated that he is the 3rd Vice President of NC’s Sherriff Association and he is one of the few progressive minds on immigration in comparison to his peers. B. Sheriff Blackwood explained how his office was recently accused of releasing a rapist after arresting him. Sheriff Blackwood explained how this individual was detained in the Orange County jail for over 300 days, had his day in court, and was sentenced. Sherriff Blackwood explained that after the individual registered with his office a sex offender, then after he had no further right to arrest or detain this individual. Sherriff Blackwood noted his frustration and disappointment with the confusion, controversy, and stories in the media that arose from this situation. C. Sheriff Blackwood explained another event where his department arrested an individual for domestic assault and that individual was eventually transferred from his custody and put into ICE’s. He noted that many opinions from Latino communities was that he should have not handed the man over to ICE. Sherriff Blackwood explained the processes of detaining someone under an administrative warrant. He explained how ICE sent an administrative warrant, which he honored. Sheriff Blackwood noted that he has met with members of the Latino community about this event. Sheriff Blackwood explained how moving forward he will require that ICE or any other law enforcement agency provide an order from the courts in order to pick up a prisoner from the Orange County jail. Sherriff Blackwood reiterated his office’s mission to continue to work with the Latino community and try to do what he can within the law to make conditions better for people that live in this community. D. Dr. Stroman inquired about racial equity training at the Sherriff office staff and their relationship with Chapel Hill PD and UNC as it relates to responding to protest and crisis. Sherriff Blackwood responded by explaining that he and many of his commanding officers have received some form of racial equity training. He feels that his office may lead the county in racial equity staff training. The Sherriff also discussed controversy aimed at his office for coming to assist UNC and Chapel Hill PD during a protest. The Sherriff explained that during a protest at UNC his department was called to assist in the matter. His deputies were stationed in the command center. A protester was detained by Chapel Hill PD and brought into the command center to the Sherriff deputies. The Sherriff noted that no one detained or arrested were supposed to brought into the command center. Sherriff Blackwood explained how the command center was then attacked by protesters and the protesters persisted by crowding the Sherriff department’s van when transporting the protestor detained. E. Ms. Jamie Paulen inquired about the KKK protestors recently seen in Hillsborough and why there weren’t any arrests. Sherriff Blackwood explained that neither his officers nor Hillsborough Police officers reported that they saw a protester with a gun while they were on the scene. Sherriff Blackwood explained that after he saw pictures posted on 2