Bucks County Sheriff (Credit: Bucks County Sheriff)
Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran released the following statement on the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office’s common sense efforts to protect Bucks County communities:
“My office’s priority is straightforward: ensuring the safety of the people of Bucks County.
With nearly 40 years in law enforcement, I know that public safety is a team sport and it's crucial agencies work together toward common goals in our community. That's why we are participating in the ICE 287(g) 'task force model.' This is a focused effort to identify and address individuals who have committed crimes within our county. I’ll work with anyone who wants to address those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods where we can. But I answer to the people of Bucks County, not Washington, D.C. The federal government has a role to play and the cost of deportation or ICE operations will not fall on Bucks County taxpayers.
The fact is, this is what we do. We already collaborate with ICE within our correctional facilities, identifying and processing inmates who are in the country illegally. The 287(g) 'task force model' allows us to extend this targeted approach into the community, focusing on individuals actively involved in criminal behavior. This is just another tool to enhance public safety - and one that means savings for Bucks County taxpayers as these criminals would be transferred to federal ICE facilities, not our jail.
Our deputies assigned to this task force will receive specialized training to ensure this work is done effectively and within the bounds of the law and always within the scope of their responsibilities. We are committed to keeping Bucks County safe, and this initiative is a practical way to achieve that goal. We're not backing down from our responsibility to protect our community.”
