Banks: Can we keep the peace in Minneapolis?

Context: Sanctuary city policies are motivated in part by the understanding that the federal government has its own immigration enforcement capabilities and does not need permission or cooperation to perform them. Such policies also are motivated by the notion that immigration enforcement is — perhaps depending on the administration, or perhaps inherently — unjust. It cannot be seen as a net positive for society’s governing divisions to subvert one another’s missions. In any case, Minneapolis police are responsible for keeping the peace in the city.

Fact: Those at the scene and others in the aftermath criticized the militarized nature of the operation. The use of masks by some of the law enforcement agents was a particular trigger.

Context: We’re seeing more of that masking — not just helmets and shields, but concealments — especially among federal agents. It diminishes accountability and enhances the intimidation factor, whether on purpose or not. Todd Lyons, the acting ICE director, belittled that concern when he said “is that the issue here, that we’re just upset about the masks? Or is anyone upset about the fact that ICE officers’ families were labeled terrorists?”

Those in law enforcement have hard jobs. We ask them to deal with the worst elements of society, but also to be better than those elements at all times. We demand this professionalism regardless of circumstance, regardless of political culture and regardless of their own psychological wounds. These are reasonable expectations. They’re necessary for the consent of the governed.

Fact: Some officials criticized the excess of the raid. O’Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called it tone-deaf. Frey said community members had “understandable fear. I had the same concern myself.” On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council ordered a review of the city’s involvement.

Context: All well and good, especially the review, but this is an election year in Minneapolis, and questions of public safety and justice are again where battle lines are being drawn, even though there are other matters, including the evolution of the tax base, that are equally important to the city’s future. Obviously, law enforcement raids like Tuesday’s won’t be announced in advance. Current federal policies will only add to instability. I don’t think the mayor is caught off-guard by the community reactions, but if he wants a sensible public safety milieu to prevail in November, he needs to be seen as not running behind.