Southold Town Board passes communication resolution regarding ICE and outside agency activities

The Southold Town Board voted Tuesday at its regular session to formalize communication procedures governing how local police respond to outside law-enforcement operations throughout the town, including protocols for public safety, de-escalation and communication with town officials and residents.

“I think our number one thing is safety of our community, whether you’re a guest or a resident, and I think this policy really communicates that and it lets the people know what we’re doing when they can’t see what we’re doing,” said Councilwoman Jill Doherty.

This resolution comes after months of work by the town’s Public Safety Task Force, which examined how Southold should respond when outside law enforcement agencies conduct operations in the community.

“We have to do it the Southold way,” said councilman Brian Mealy at the work session Tuesday morning at Town Hall. “We can’t do it the same way as East Hampton Village. We have to do it the safe way for Southold.”

Officers are dispatched to verify an outside operation, remain present for peacekeeping, activate body cameras and try to de-escalate confrontations. The chief or designee will notify the town supervisor when an operation affects public safety, with additional officials notified as appropriate.

“Our goal is public safety,” Chief of Police Steven Grattan said.

Mr. Krupski told The Suffolk Times recently that, for now, the town isn’t going in the direction of the proposed OLA of Eastern Long Island Local Law. The Local Law is a proposed policy public safety and accountability law concerning federal immigration enforcement operations, particularly ICE activity.

The formal procedure also calls for Chief Grattan or a designee to issue a public statement following an operation affecting public safety, providing timely information while withholding sensitive details that could compromise an ongoing investigation or officer safety. Board members discussed the importance of defining “timely” based on the circumstances of each incident rather than setting a specific deadline.

The resolution would also require the Board of Police Commissioners to perform an internal review to the town’s public safety response after an operation and make recommendations for further action when circumstances warrant. The review is intended to examine how the response worked and whether any changes to the procedure are needed, rather than serve as a judegment on the actions of individual officers.

“We want to know if this process works,” said Councilwoman Alexa Suess. “Did we protect public safety? Is there anything missing in our steps?”

The resolution also looks beyond the immediate response procedures, calling for the creation of a standing Public Safety Committee to carry forward the work of the task force. The committee would operate under the direction of the Town Board and serve as a conduit for community concerns, education and communication about the town’s public safety procedures.

The new committee would essentially carry the task force’s work forward. Rather than creating its own policies, the committee would work at the direction of the Town Board, bringing community concerns and recommendations to town officials while helping residents understand the procedures governing outside law enforcement operations.

The board is discussing potential members of the new committee, by suggesting the possibility of adding members from other community groups. Those include, two Anti-Bias Task Force members, two from the Police Advisory, two from the Communication Committee and other applicable community stakeholders.

At the work session on Sept. 9, the board plans to discuss the specifics of the Public Safety Committee, but Tuesday’s vote secures a step in the right direction.