Kidnappers or ICE agents? LAPD grapples with surge in calls from concerned citizens
Briefly

An incident involving LAPD and ICE agents sparked controversy when officers protected alleged kidnappers after a woman was taken into an SUV. The woman was later identified as a U.S. citizen. Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated that maintaining peace was the priority, leading to criticism from activists and city leaders. They expressed concerns about LAPD's involvement in federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing the need for police to investigate claims of kidnapping rather than facilitating ICE operations. This incident reflects ongoing tensions regarding immigration enforcement in Southern California.
The reported kidnappers, it turned out, were special agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, prompting criticism of LAPD's lack of intervention in the incident.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell defended the officers' response, emphasizing their responsibility to maintain peace in the face of a federal operation.
Critics accused the LAPD of supporting ICE during an incident where they were tasked with managing public safety instead of investigating alleged wrongdoing.
Multiple incidents have raised concerns among city leaders regarding LAPD's role in what is seen as a federal crackdown on immigration, affecting local communities.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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