Federal immigration law enforcement in our community
I first want to start off by saying that current events have left many in our community and around the state feeling scared, angry, and confused. To our residents, know that I see you and share in many of the concerns for overall community safety that people have shared, regardless of political ideologies or opinions. At the end of the day, everyone’s safety is paramount.
Some concerns about activity in Cottage Grove have also come to my attention and I wanted to clarify a couple things about what I know and what our local police department’s role is and what it isn’t. I recognize, again, that there is a great deal of fear and concern right now, and as a result, I feel an obligation to provide information to hopefully clarify and address a few things.

Role of local law enforcement: 
By law, Cottage Grove police only enforce state and local laws, not federal immigration laws. It is the responsibility of the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws. Cottage Grove police are not notified of federal operations. Cottage Grove police do not have the ability to check someone’s legal status and will not participate in federal immigration enforcement activity in our community.
 
Cottage Grove Police serve everyone in our community
We recognize that the current actions regarding immigration are causing fear and concern. People in our community should not be afraid to call 911 when they are a victim of a crime or witness a crime, even if they are undocumented. The Cottage Grove Police Department’s job is to protect and serve everyone in the community and to keep everyone safe. I am thankful that our community supports our Police Department, and I am extremely proud to serve this community alongside them. 

What we are doing currently:
The city, Public Safety Director Pete Koerner, myself, and others are proactively communicating with business owners, the School District, and others to help address questions and concerns to the best of our ability. Public Safety personnel are conducting their excellent and professional work, just as they do every day, as normal. Which, again, is to conduct proactive community engagement, enforce state, and local laws, and to ensure that our community is safe. As far as I am concerned, their mission has not and will not change.

To close: again, I hear your concerns. People are scared. Families are confused. We know that our community looks out for one another, and it is part of why I am so proud to have been born and raised in Cottage Grove and to have myself raised a family here in Cottage Grove.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your neighbors to lend a hand, please continue to call 911 should an emergency arise, and never forget that our Police Department is here to serve you, and I am personally extraordinarily thankful and proud of the work they do on a daily basis. 
Thank you, 
Myron Bailey 
Cottage Grove Mayor