ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDNews) — Enterprise police say recent joint law enforcement operations focus on violent crime, illegal weapons and repeat offenders, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was not brought into the city to conduct roundups of undocumented individuals.
The department issued the statement Oct. 30 in response to questions about recent operations in Enterprise. The release, signed by Police Chief Michael G. Moore, addresses federal involvement, immigration enforcement and concerns about how communities are treated.
“Our federal partners are here strictly at the invitation of local leadership to support targeted violent crime initiatives—they are not conducting independent missions or arbitrary sweeps,” the department said in the release.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not brought into Enterprise to carry out roundups of undocumented individuals, and operations are not centered on general immigration enforcement.”
According to the department, recent operations involving Enterprise police, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency focus on violent crime, illegal weapons, repeat criminal offenders and other threats to public safety.
Federal agencies may provide specialized investigative help and resources when needed, according to the release. Those agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshals Service.
The department said those partnerships strengthen its ability to investigate serious crimes and protect people who live, work and raise families in Enterprise.
Police said federal personnel may take part in local public safety efforts in coordination with local leadership. The operations described in the statement focus on criminal activity and accountability for people who pose a threat to the community, according to the department.
The release also addressed federal enforcement authority, stating: “Additionally, there is no nationwide legal hold or blanket court order preventing ICE from conducting lawful arrests or civil enforcement actions.”
The department said immigration enforcement authority is governed by federal law. It directed questions about the legal authority or scope of specific federal actions to the appropriate federal agency or the judicial process.
“Our shared priority is dedicated solely to public safety, deterring crime, and holding violent actors accountable in our community,” the release stated.
Police also said enforcement decisions are based on behavior, credible information, applicable laws and public safety needs.
“Law enforcement activities are guided by observed behavior, credible information, applicable laws, and public safety needs—not by race, ethnicity, religion, neighborhood, or socioeconomic status,” the department said.
The department said neither Enterprise police nor agencies working alongside them target communities based on those characteristics. It said laws are enforced throughout the city, including downtown commercial areas, residential neighborhoods and outlying areas.
In the release, the department emphasized transparency, accountability and public trust. It said it remains committed to protecting residents, children, working families, seniors and visitors.
“We recognize that law enforcement activity can raise questions and concerns, and we take those concerns seriously,” the department said.
“Our commitment remains to fair enforcement, professional service, accountability, and respect for the rights of every individual.”
The department said it will continue working with its law enforcement partners to address serious criminal activity.
“Through continued cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we will work to address serious criminal activity and help ensure that Enterprise remains a safe place to live, learn, work, and raise a family,” the release stated.
