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Residents tell Blue Earth County board dispatch ignored ICE-related calls and delayed medical response
Summary
Two residents described encounters with masked, armed federal agents and said county dispatchers told callers there was ‘‘nothing we can do’’ or to wait until federal agents left, urging the board to review dispatch procedures and community protections.
Two residents used the Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners’ public-comment period on March 17 to press the board for a review of how county dispatch handled calls during incidents involving federal immigration agents.
Sheila O’Hearn, who identified herself as a Mankato resident, said she and a neighbor were observing activity on park property on Jan. 15 when multiple masked, armed federal agents surrounded their vehicle. ‘‘They were wearing weapons. They had masks. They wouldn’t even pull the mask down to talk to us so we could lip read,’’ O’Hearn said, adding that while callers were on the phone with 911, dispatch ‘‘basically were ignoring what we were requesting.’’ She told commissioners dispatch would not send an officer until she demanded it and later said a responding officer told her ‘‘there’s nothing I can do.’’
Luis Orozco, who said he is the son and sibling of immigrants and lives at 3106 Scotch Lane, described a separate Jan. 13 incident in which he reported masked people with guns. He said dispatch told callers ‘‘they’re probably ICE’’ and that ‘‘we have to let them do their job,’’ and said a local person was pepper-sprayed while observing. ‘‘I lost a lot of faith because there seems to be a lack of communication and a lack of consciousness,’’ Orozco said.
Neither O’Hearn nor Orozco tied their accounts to a particular county policy or request for a specific remedy beyond asking the board to investigate and consider a local resolution. Commissioners did not take immediate formal action on the comments during the meeting; the remarks were heard during the general public-comment period.
Why it matters: The comments raise questions about how county dispatch prioritizes calls that involve federal agents and whether policy changes or training are needed to ensure timely emergency medical response and clear guidance for callers. County staff and commissioners can use public-comment reports to determine whether a formal review or policy change is required.
What happened next: The board listened to public testimony but did not announce a staff directive or vote during the March 17 meeting. The public-comment period closed after the speakers’ remarks.
The board is expected to consider follow-up in future meetings if staff bring back options or recommendations.
