During the Feb. 24 Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center, Chair Janine Santoro moderated a discussion of ICE and how it would be handled if Bethlehem would become a target of aggressive federal mass deportations.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott attended online to address questions raised about ICE tactics at the previous meeting. She said the city and her department have had conversations regarding federal deportation operations in light of recent events in Minneapolis. She praised Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proactive stance on potential ICE activity within the state and recommended checking out the commonwealth’s comprehensive website on police interaction: pa.gov/know-your-rights

“The Bethlehem Police Department serves all residents,” said Kott. “We work extremely hard to maintain public trust without regard to an individual’s immigration status,” explaining that officers “enforce local and state laws that safeguard the public’s health, safety and welfare.” The department “does not enforce immigration law,” she added. “In order for us to enforce immigration law, we would have to participate in a program called the Community 287 (g) Program with the federal government, with ICE.”

Kott declared: “We do not, and we will not, participate in that program while I’m chief of police here in the City of Bethlehem.”

Expressing pride that the BPD is accredited, she said, “We investigate crimes and we work diligently to protect victims and witnesses, irrespective of their immigration status.” She clarified they are required to adapt “best practices.”

“If an individual is breaking the law, the Bethlehem Police Department would take action,” said Kott as she pointed out that no one is above the law, including local, state or federal officers. However, she explained that with the “Supremacy Clause,” if federal agents are lawfully working “under the color of federal law,” local police cannot step in.

Referring to the 2020 George Floyd murder, Kott said, “Duty to intervene is something that is covered in the Bethlehem Police Department policies and directives.” Citing case law, she said a police officer has the duty to intercede to prevent another officer from “subjecting a citizen to excessive force.”

If confronted by masked individuals, a person feeling threatened can call on the local police to intervene. Kott noted that some criminals are posing as ICE officers, then scamming victims. Arriving police officers are instructed to de-escalate the situation, as well as check IDs and verify judicial warrants. “These would be handled on a case-by-case basis,” remarked Kott.

3Sixty Pharma Solutions CEO Dalfoni Banerjee asked what the community can do to prepare for a potential influx of immigration officers. Santoro replied there is an emergency response network of community members organizing and training for such a scenario.

When Banerjee asked about the possibility of local government being able to expedite a person’s immigration status through the system, Bethlehem Community Police Officer William Rodriguez answered, “It has to do with how you got here.” Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities weighed in with how the federal government has been “kicking this can down the road” on reform since George H.W. Bush was president. The path to citizenship is more like a “labyrinth.”

When describing the district’s experience working with M.I.R.A. Resources from Allentown, BASD’s Eric Fontanez said, “They have been wonderful.” Headed by Clarice James, the organization provides needed information and support to families of district students in matters like these.

Lehigh students Mariana King and Jordon Knox outlined their work with Professor Kate Jackson in the B Beautiful: Community Mapping for Environmental Justice. They, along with Lehigh student Jiaqian Xu (attending online), are working in partnership with the Southside community to identify trash hotspots and other pressing environmental concerns.

Zettlemoyer promoted Housing Opportunities’ Closing Assistance Program that provides funding toward a qualifying individual homebuyer’s closing costs. He spoke about one1-bedroom “tiny” dwellings that older empty-nesters could be interested in as a viable form of affordable housing.

Attending online, Aliya Ali mentioned YWCA Bethlehem’s Courageous Conversations sessions continue with one on April 23 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The YWCA Pop-Up Prom Shop happens 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on March 28 at Wind Creek. They continue seeking volunteers and donations.

Joining remotely from Lehigh University, Carolina Hernandez announced that, during construction of the new Fountain Hill ES, the Fountain Hill Food Pantry has been relocated to St. Ursula Roman Catholic Church at 1301 Sioux St. The food bank is open every second and fourth Wednesday every month.

Also attending online, Katy Knibbs announced the Southside Arts District Survey is open online until March 30. She requested public feedback to help the organization plan for the next 10 years.

Santoro announced the 40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years Plan Release is scheduled for April 2 at the Ice House from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The initiative involves upgrading all of the city’s parks within a 10-year span.

Bethlehem’s State of the City address is scheduled for 7 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. April 8 at the ArtsQuest Musikfest Café.

The next monthly Southside Community Cleanup, hosted by Community Action Development Corp. Bethlehem, is scheduled for April 11 from 10 a.m. - noon at Yosko Park.

CADB also offers a free eight-week course in Community Housing Advocacy Training at their office at 1337 E. Fifth St. through April 16.

Santoro reminded all that there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions as well as open positions at city hall. The Bethlehem Police Department is also accepting applications.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.