Johnson City board rejects resolution limiting police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WBNG) — The Village of Johnson City Board rejected a resolution Tuesday night that would have limited local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement operations.

Mayor Christina Charuk brought forward the resolution, which she called a “resident-first public safety policy,” but no board members seconded the motion.

“So, with the resolution about ICE, I did bring forth a resolution about parameters for cooperation for our local police department. Because I am a member of the voting board, I was able to make a motion, but no members of the board seconded it. So basically, it just dies right there,” Charuk said.

Charuk plans to pursue similar legislation

Despite the setback, Charuk said she plans to bring a similar resolution forward in the future.

“It will probably be worded differently, but it’s something that I’m interested in certainly pursuing. I will continue to work with our chief of police and look at common sense legislation coming from both the governor and from our state legislatures,” she said.

Residents voice disapproval

After the resolution failed to receive support, Johnson City residents voiced their disapproval of the decision.

Joe Picalila, a Johnson City resident, said he was disappointed the board did not even allow discussion of the measure.

“As a person who has studied Robert’s Rules of Order, all they needed was a second to just agree to discuss it, and that it merited discussion. The fact that they didn’t even kill, that they killed it without even a second, and zero discussion, that broke my heart worse than them voting it down and saying no,” Picalila said.

Charuk said the issue will likely play a role in upcoming elections.

“As a government official, I will be pursuing different language, and I will represent this issue to the board for their consideration. And I hope it passes because I think it’s the right thing to do. As a politician, I think it sets up a very interesting election cycle this year,” she said.