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Parent group says volunteers are monitoring ICE agents near schools; asks district to continue protections
Summary
A community volunteer described organized observer shifts at district schools that monitor suspected ICE activity near school start times, reported past large agent presence and recent tactics to blend in, and asked the district to continue supporting measures to protect students and routes to school.
During audience opportunity, Deb Peterson identified herself as the administrator for a school observer group that places community volunteers near Osseo area schools to monitor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and to help keep students safe.
Peterson told the board volunteers cover both morning and afternoon school start times at all 24 district schools. “We have community members who volunteer to take shifts at Osseo District Schools, all 24 of them, both mornings and afternoons to ensure our students are protected from ICE agents,” she said. She said early in the surge volunteers observed 15–20 agents per shift; currently they identify about five per shift and described agents adapting tactics—wearing plain clothes and attempting to blend in. Peterson also reported observers encountering intimidation and surveillance, including drones near her home, and asked the district to continue supporting measures to keep schools and routes safe.
Chair Prince thanked the speaker and the board did not record further formal action on the request in the public meeting.
