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Residents demand audit and accountability after Rose Street enforcement; speakers accuse Saint Paul police of aiding ICE
Summary
Multiple residents and union observers told the council they witnessed or were affected by a same-day enforcement action on the East Side and accused Saint Paul Police Department of collaborating with masked federal agents; they asked the council to audit SPD spending, seek federal reimbursement for the response, and clarify policies that allow police support for federal immigration enforcement.
A wave of public testimony at the Saint Paul City Council’s truth-in-taxation hearing focused on a same-day enforcement action on Rose Street and allegations that Saint Paul Police Department officers supported masked federal agents. Residents described being pepper-sprayed or tear-gassed, school lockdowns, badge numbers that were withheld and police conduct that, attendees said, escalated tension rather than protected the community.
"I was physically grabbed by a police officer, shoved back, and then sprayed with pepper spray... My eye still burns hours later," said Jeffrey Piquette, who said he used a megaphone to warn residents and later experienced burning in his eye. Other witnesses described seeing an elderly woman with a cane sprayed in the face and reported that some officers did not display badge numbers when asked.
Union leaders and constitutional observers also spoke. Leah Van Dassar, president of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators, said at least one school locked down during the operation and asked how much of the proposed levy increase supports police activity that aids federal enforcement and whether that practice violates the city's separation ordinance. Clara Doctor, who said she was a constitutional observer, said SPPD’s arrival in riot gear raised tensions at a scene where, she said, there had been no rioting.
Speakers asked the council to demand transparency and accountability: several urged an immediate audit of SPD spending tied to federal operations, insisted the city seek reimbursement from federal authorities for the resources deployed, and pressed for clearer policies limiting SPPD participation in federal immigration actions. Tim Marino, a capital maintenance board member, said the city had $3 million for capital maintenance while police spending had increased and demanded investigation and transparency.
Council President Naker acknowledged that the community was distressed and said the council would seek answers in the days to come; the transcript does not include an on-the-record response from SPPD or a mayoral official at this hearing. Speakers asked for specific follow-ups, including documenting the costs of the day’s response and reviewing whether SPPD actions complied with local ordinances and identification requirements.
Next steps recorded in the hearing: council members circled calls for investigation and said they would be pursuing answers. No formal audit was ordered during this session and no motions or votes occurred; the record of this hearing will be part of the public record as the council finalizes the Dec. 3 budget adoption and considers oversight options.
