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Local pastor tells commissioners Latino residents fear calling police over immigration repercussions
Summary
A Fairfield pastor told commissioners county residents served by his ministry fear reporting crimes because of concern about immigration enforcement after a local arrest; commissioners acknowledged the concern and thanked the ministry for its work.
Mark Finfrock, pastor at First United Methodist Church (225 Ludlow), told the Butler County Board of Commissioners during public comment on June 3 that his church operates a weekly meal program and is hearing growing fear among Latino residents about calling police.
"We as an organization do 153 meals a week for those who are disadvantaged and marginalized," Finfrock said, and he said his organization is encountering a pervasive fear in the Latino community about calling law enforcement for vandalism or theft because of concern about immigration enforcement coordination. Finfrock described a recent arrest (named in the public comment) that, he said, has increased fear and hampered the ministry's ability to recruit volunteers and participants.
Commissioners listened and thanked Finfrock for the meals and his work in the community. A commissioner responded, "We hear what you're saying," according to the meeting record. The board did not take any immediate action during the meeting; commissioners acknowledged the issue and moved on to other agenda items.
Finfrock asked the commissioners to be aware of the issue and to consider how county processes might affect residents' willingness to contact officials. No formal referral, policy change or staff assignment was recorded at the June 3 meeting stemming from the comment.
