Santa Barbara City Council Approves Resolution in Wake of ICE activity

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – The Santa Barbara City Council voted in favor of an updated resolution to re-affirm the city's response to ICE.

The 6-1 vote followed a couple of hours of discussion.

The resolution promotes community safety, diversity and public trust in response to Federal Immigration Enforcement.

Mayor Randy Rowse voted against the plan due to signage that will mark public and private spaces in city facilities.

Rowse said he thought it would be confusing.

The resolution dropped a portion regarding Flock cameras.

The third party vendor's cameras will be discussed in August following a July break.

"We want to be able to do more against ice so they don't kidnap our neighbors who we really love um so I am happy this is a step forward but more steps need to be taken and getting rid of the Flock cameras I think is super important," said Beckett Stabus-Friedmann.

Friedmann, who said he is with the Democratic Socialists of America, spoke during public comments.

Larry Behrendt of Indivisible Santa Barbara spoke, too.

He favors the signs and anything the city can do to help.

"It was a positive step forward by our city to express their values that all are welcome here and that we want to do everything a city can for everyone to be safe here," said Behrendt.

During the discussion, one city council member said ICE has taken 97 people within city limits and 387 in the Tri-County area to date.

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