Resident reports disturbing police encounter; city manager and council seek follow‑up

A Milwaukee resident told the council she witnessed a forceful police encounter early in the day and urged the city to confirm that local law enforcement is not coordinating with federal immigration agents.

Mara Reynolds said she watched officers force a barefoot man into a patrol car, cover his head with a hood and take him away after what she said appeared to be a theft of food from a gas station. "I didn't see him be read his rights or be formally charged with a crime, and he had no shoes," Reynolds said. She said she recorded video of the incident and asked the city to ensure the response matched community needs.

Council President Will Anderson said he expected City Manager Emma Sager to follow up. Sager told the council that the city would respond and noted that state law prohibits local law enforcement from coordinating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and that the chief of police had issued a statement that the department "will not coordinate with ICE in any way." Sager and Anderson said staff would provide additional information at a later meeting if further follow‑up were needed.

Reynolds told the council she came to speak about other topics but that the morning’s events compelled her testimony. She asked for assurance the incident would be examined and offered to share her video recording with city staff. Councilors thanked her and asked staff to follow up directly with information.