Letters

According to The Southampton Press, more than a dozen federal officers arrived in a caravan of what appeared to be their personal cars and mustered at the Hampton Bays Fire Department on Montauk Highway, before setting out in a fleet of unmarked minivans [“Dozens of ICE Agents Sweep Through Hampton Bays and Westhampton Beach Wednesday,” 27east.com, November 5].

Putting aside the cruelty of it all, the elephant in the room is this: Did Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore and the police department she oversees know about this ICE raid in advance and, if so, to what extent?

The fact that these federal agents gathered in a municipally owned parking lot, funded by local taxpayers, raises real questions about coordination and complicity. If town officials knew and permitted it, that’s one thing. If they didn’t know, that’s arguably worse. Either way, it’s a failure of leadership.

And if Supervisor Moore was aware, it shouldn’t surprise anyone. After all, in the last election cycle, she ran on the Conservative line, so this type of quiet cooperation with ICE would be entirely on brand. But if she truly didn’t know, then the question becomes: Why hasn’t she said a word since? Why hasn’t she asked questions of her own?

Hampton Bays Fire Commissioner Rick Durand did speak up, telling 27east.com that it was not their doing. Democratic County Legislator Ann Welker attended the protest.

At a minimum, Moore could have notified local advocacy groups like OLA so they could prepare and support the community. Instead, silence.

If ICE vehicles were parked illegally on town property, call Rapid Recovery and have them towed. It doesn’t matter who they are — rules are rules. Apply them equally. Southampton Town Code §312-20 specifically prohibits parking in the Hampton Bays Fire District.

If ICE coordinated with the town, that’s troubling. If they didn’t, that’s a breach of local authority.

Either way, Ms. Moore, please do something. Stop acquiescing. Lead.

Jessica McNerney

Southampton