Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters is proposing a ban on masked law enforcement officers in the city. The proposed ordinance, which has been named the "Alex Pretti Detroit No Masks Ordinance," aims to prevent law enforcement from enforcing the law with impunity while wearing masks.
Waters' proposal comes after the tragic death of Alex Pretti, an American hero who was fatally shot by two federal agents in Minneapolis for video-recording immigration enforcement. Waters said that she wants to see the faces of law enforcement officers in Detroit and that the least they can do is honor Pretti's memory by wearing their identities openly.
Under the proposed ordinance, local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel would be prohibited from wearing masks or other facial coverings while performing their duties in Detroit. The purpose of this ban is to enable the identification of individuals engaging in law enforcement activities within the city, making it easier for citizens to verify who is conducting arrests and hold officers accountable.
However, critics have argued that local mask bans may not be effective in stopping federal immigration agents from covering their faces. Los Angeles County's Board of Supervisors has recently approved an ordinance requiring law enforcement officers to show their faces, while Philadelphia lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at barring federal immigration agents from wearing masks in public.
The Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution may pose a challenge to local and state efforts to regulate federal officers. Despite this, Waters' proposed ordinance must still be approved by the Detroit City Council before it can take effect. If adopted, the city law department would determine how violations are enforced.
Waters' proposal highlights growing national concerns about federal immigration agents wearing masks during enforcement actions, which critics argue makes it difficult for the public to identify who is conducting arrests and hold officers accountable.
Waters' proposal comes after the tragic death of Alex Pretti, an American hero who was fatally shot by two federal agents in Minneapolis for video-recording immigration enforcement. Waters said that she wants to see the faces of law enforcement officers in Detroit and that the least they can do is honor Pretti's memory by wearing their identities openly.
Under the proposed ordinance, local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel would be prohibited from wearing masks or other facial coverings while performing their duties in Detroit. The purpose of this ban is to enable the identification of individuals engaging in law enforcement activities within the city, making it easier for citizens to verify who is conducting arrests and hold officers accountable.
However, critics have argued that local mask bans may not be effective in stopping federal immigration agents from covering their faces. Los Angeles County's Board of Supervisors has recently approved an ordinance requiring law enforcement officers to show their faces, while Philadelphia lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at barring federal immigration agents from wearing masks in public.
The Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution may pose a challenge to local and state efforts to regulate federal officers. Despite this, Waters' proposed ordinance must still be approved by the Detroit City Council before it can take effect. If adopted, the city law department would determine how violations are enforced.
Waters' proposal highlights growing national concerns about federal immigration agents wearing masks during enforcement actions, which critics argue makes it difficult for the public to identify who is conducting arrests and hold officers accountable.
, I'm all for Mary Waters' proposed ordinance in Detroit. It's a step towards building trust between law enforcement and the community. Seeing the faces of officers when they're enforcing the law can't be wrong 
. But at the same time, I do think it's gonna be tough to enforce, especially since federal agents might just ignore local laws 
. The Supremacy Clause thing is a major hurdle, but Waters' proposal could spark some national conversations about accountability 
. Maybe we'll see more cities and states taking action against these masked enforcers? That'd be a good start 
.
... but at the same time, isn't this gonna just create more headaches for federal agents who might have legitimate reasons for covering their faces? Like, they're not just gonna start wearing masks 'cause some city councilwoman said so 
... and what about all those times when law enforcement needs to go undercover or in situations where a mask would really be necessary? 
- so like some city in Detroit is trying to pass an ordinance that requires cops to show their faces while they're working... and I'm thinking isn't this just a recipe for disaster? 
what if the feds start to take notice of a bunch of cities doing this? They'll probably just start to cover up too, and we'll be right back where we started 
! Can't we just see each other's faces anymore? It's like, I get that Alex Pretti was a good guy who got killed by agents wearing masks, but do we really need some law to make them show their ugly mug? I mean, what if they're hiding something?! But at the same time, it's kinda creepy when you can't even see the people in charge. My grandma would just want to know who's doing her taxes and making sure she doesn't get robbed! 
It's only fair that we can see their faces when they're enforcing laws or making stops - it builds trust, you know? 
And let's be real, Alex Pretti's death was totally avoidable, so this is a step in the right direction. 
with Mary Waters' idea! 
and keeping our cops accountable 
. I mean, can you imagine walking down the street and seeing a masked cop arresting someone? 
That's just creepy 
. But if they show their faces, it's like, "Hey, I know who you are!" 
Plus, it's all about honoring Alex Pretti's memory 
. It's time to shine a light on our law enforcement and make sure we're all on the same page 
.