Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Oct. 21 Oxnard City Council meeting to press elected officials for a public forum and clearer oversight following an incident earlier in the month involving Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and Oxnard Police Department officers.

Carolina Gallardo Magaña said she is “pro‑police” but that community trust has eroded after a recent incident in which federal immigration agents detained a person; she said Oxnard police “appear” to be providing security for ICE operations and asked the council to require Chief Jason Benitez to end any collaboration with ICE immediately. “We demand that you, as elected officials … require the police department, specifically Chief Benitez, to end all collaboration with ICE immediately,” Gallardo Magaña said during public comment.

Sofia Vega said video of the incident shows DHS use of force and questioned why multiple OPD vehicles appeared to support federal agents at the scene, adding that residents want transparency and protections for civil liberties. “It is imperative that you investigate this matter,” she told the council, and asked whether an independent OPD oversight body exists and how community members could participate.

A volunteer with the 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network (identified in the public record as Daryl Teske during the virtual comment) said OPD initially issued a statement that blamed the person who had been detained; the statement was later retracted, but Teske said the initial post increased community distrust. Teske asked the council to act quickly and pointed community members to a local hotline for immigration alerts (805‑870‑8855) and volunteer training opportunities.

Several council members acknowledged the comments and said the mayor has convened stakeholders to follow up. Council members asked the police department to provide updates and the mayor’s office said it would consider a public forum; Chief Benitez and OPD commanders met with community stakeholders after the event and offered to continue dialogue, according to council members’ remarks during the meeting.

Ending: Residents requested a public town hall, greater transparency about OPD cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and clearer oversight options; council members asked the police department for follow‑up and said the city will consider additional public outreach.