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Residents urge Richfield to shield families from ICE impacts; council weighs towing relief and ALPR concerns
Summary
At an open-forum session, multiple Richfield residents criticized federal immigration enforcement, urged protections for affected families and asked the council to end the city's Flock ALPR contract and to reimburse towing/impound fees; city manager proposed a $5,000 Richfield Leadership Network fund (expandable to $10,000) to reimburse towing and storage fees related to enforcement.
A string of Richfield residents used the Feb. 24 open-forum period to press the City Council for local responses to recent federal immigration-enforcement operations, urging policing changes, privacy safeguards and financial relief for families whose cars were towed while they feared returning to their homes.
Bear Johnson opened the topic with a personal history and a plea for humane treatment, telling the council that “a society is not made better by cruelty.” Jacob Poppy urged the city to end its contract with the Flock automated license-plate reader (ALPR) system, saying, “ALPRs are a serious risk to our privacy and civil liberties” and arguing that the systems continuously record movements without a warrant.
Several speakers urged local measures to reduce the financial harm to families affected by enforcement. Erica Klene described a family that paid about $1,000 to recover a towed vehicle after fearing to return home and asked whether the city could enact a towing moratorium for households unable to retrieve vehicles because of enforcement activity. Nick Troutner sharply criticized local policing during the period of heavy federal enforcement, saying residents were left to “fight ICE alone with nothing but phones and whistles” and directly addressing the police with, “Shame on you, Richfield Police Department.” Scott Dulquist, a retired officer and veteran, described material and emotional damage from the operations and urged federal reform and safer practices.
City Manager Rodriguez reported operational follow-ups and a staff proposal in response to the concerns. Rodriguez said dispatch and officer processes were changed so that 911 calls involving interactions with federal agents are automatically recorded in dispatch software. He also said that some of a previously allocated $50,000 contract for rental assistance remained available.
On towing specifically, Rodriguez said staff confirmed with Richfield's towing contractor that when a vehicle was left because the owner was unable to retrieve it due to immigration enforcement, the owner could submit proof and be charged only for towing and storage; Rodriguez said storage fees are the primary driver of the larger costs. Rodriguez proposed contracting with the Richfield Leadership Network to reimburse Richfield residents for towing and impound fees related to immigration enforcement, with an initial amount of $5,000 and authority for the city manager to increase that to $10,000 without returning to council; the proposal would be funded through a budget amendment and returned to council for approval of contract details.
Council members responded favorably to pursuing a partnership with the Richfield Leadership Network and limiting storage fees for impacted residents. Council Member Hayford Olirri and Council Member Burke said they supported the idea; Council Member Christensen echoed support for addressing towing and storage charges as an added burden to families who have been affected.
What’s next: Rodriguez said staff will work with the city attorney and the Richfield Leadership Network, finalize contract language and bring a recommendation back to the council. Council members asked for community feedback before final adoption.
