Sheriff to discuss immigration program tonight

Each month, Frederick’s 12 councils meet as a platform for residents to discuss issues and concerns with city officials. The resident committees also plan events, such as the ‘‘West End Fiesta” that NAC 5 began in 2005 as a way for neighbors to celebrate various cultures. That annual event was the precursor to this year’s ‘‘Pangaea Frederick” event sponsored by the city in May.

Diana Halleman, NAC 5 president, said while working to organize the multicultural event, the ICE program came up in discussion.

‘‘The way I see it, this is why the NACs were created,” the 15-year Frederick resident said. ‘‘The one thing we should be doing is creating community dialogue ... and here was a chance where we could take the lead.”

Halleman said media coverage of the ICE initiative seemed to ‘‘present more emotions than facts,” so for clear answers, she invited Jenkins to provide some answers.

‘‘I know this is a county program ... but if [Jenkins] comes and explains what it is and gives the opportunity to ask questions, I think we can get a dialogue going and dispel any sense of fear,” she said.

Jenkins said the presentation is a good idea; he has visited communities throughout the county for the last few months to talk about the initiative.

‘‘As controversial as this is, I have the opportunity to explain what it is, what it is all about and the greatest benefit, I think, [is] to dispel the negativity and the myths,” the sheriff said. ‘‘... This isn’t something where we profile, this is enforcing the law. Once you are arrested, we enforce the law.”

Jenkins said though the Frederick Police Department is responsible for serving the city, sheriff’s deputies are still present at the courthouse and detention center.

‘‘Remember, people [Frederick police] arrest come into our jail ... so even though they don’t directly participate [in the 287G program], the ones they arrest are screened and identified as anyone else,” Jenkins said. ‘‘I think our relationship with the Frederick Police Department is a positive one.”

NAC 5 is bound on the north by Fort Detrick and the south by West Patrick Street ⁄ U.S. Route 40. According to a 2007 estimate by the city’s planning department, the population of around 9,100 makes it the largest source of residents within the city’s limits.

Halleman praised Frederick Police Chief Kim C. Dine’s commitment to both the NACs and the Frederick community. She said he is always willing to share information and to listen to concerns. She hopes that Jenkins’ appearance will be equally positive.

‘‘I think if people meet the sheriff, they can see he is not a malicious person and not out to get every immigrant in the world,” she said. ‘‘Seeing him might change some perceptions.”

Dine called the councils ‘‘the foundation of community policing,” and Jenkins’ attendance tonight, he said, is a continuation of those efforts by residents.

‘‘I fully support, endorse and practice exchanging information with the community, including hearing concerns and finding solutions to problems,” Dine said. ‘‘... That kind of communication can dispel fears and concerns about any issue.”

ICE Presentation

7 p.m., today

Holiday Inn Frederick, 999 W. Patrick St., at corner of U.S. Route 40 and Baughman’s Lane

Sheriff Chuck Jenkins will discuss Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Program

To register, e-mail OurNAC5@gmail.com; seating limited to 75