This past week I have heard from many people in our community and beyond that wished to express varying reactions to the assistance our sheriff鈥檚 office provided to U.S. Homeland Security during their execution of two federal search warrants at Nutrition Bar Confectioners on Sept. 4. As I previously mentioned in a prior statement, we were contacted by U.S. Border Patrol at the end of July and asked to provide assistance with scene perimeter security and traffic safety that day, utilizing assets and resources provided to our sheriff鈥檚 office by Border Patrol as part of a longstanding agreement we have had with their agency since 2009.
Over the past week, I have communicated with a number of people via telephone, email and in person regarding this event. There have been many questions and concerns. What brought us there? What was our role? Two individuals shared the direct impact that immigration enforcement that day had on local families as a result. Some expressed concern for other businesses in our community that rely on this population for labor. I would like to thank everyone that has reached out to me and provided your feedback. The primary reason for me issuing this letter is to share that I do hear you. Each of you. I understand these concerns and I am listening. The sheriff鈥檚 office belongs to the people we serve, and your feedback is critical.
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An investigation by HSI is ongoing. It is my hope that additional information will be made public in the future that will shed more light on why we were there that day. As it is not an investigation involving our sheriff鈥檚 office, I do not have the knowledge or ability to provide any details. Until then, know that I am listening. I understand your concerns and the current critical role that the migrant workforce in our community serves. Moreover, I understand the impact that this enforcement has on real people. Both those directly impacted and those close to them. Regardless of one鈥檚 position on these issues, this cannot be overlooked.
Addressing public safety, investigating criminal activity, and holding those that commit crime accountable are priorities for our sheriff鈥檚 office at the local level. That is what we do each day and will continue to do moving forward. At times this task can be challenging. Again, I appreciate the feedback.
Federal criminal complaints show five workers at a Cayuga County factory have been charged with illegally reentering the U.S.
