For the second month in a row, Sheriff Todd Brackett told a concerned citizen his department has no interest in assisting ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) and U.S. Border Patrol in apprehending "undcocumentd immigrants." This time, the matter was raised by a non-Lincoln County resident. Heather Ellsworth of Warren said the prospect of local law enforcement cooperating with ICE and Border Patrol to enforce federal immigration laws was "frighten." Her comment came in the June 3 Lincoln County commissioners' meeting.

Ellsworth told county officals she didn't know if any Maine counties had entered into an agreement to assist federal officials in immigration enforcement and she wanted to know how Lincoln was handling federal requests. In March, Wells Police Department became the first Maine law enforcement agency to partner with ICE on immigration enforcement. She urged Lincoln County not to engage in a similar partnership.

As part of ICE's 287 G program, Wells police will serve as a "force multiplier" enforcing limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during routine police duties. Locally, Brackett reported his stance hadn't changed. His department would only enforce Maine laws, not any federal ones. "I have no interest in entering into any 287 G agreement with ICE. We don't have time to enforce federal immigration laws. We are focused on public safety here in Lincoln County," he said.

Brackett added there is some cooperation with the federal government on non-immigration matters. The department receives a few federal law enforcement-related grants. The Stonegarden Homeland Security  Grant is a major one. The grant provides funding for additional patrols and traffic enforcement. "Our only obligation is reporting data at the end of the day. If we see a foreign flag in a port, we report it. That's it," he said. "Stonegarden helps us enforce the seat belt law and provide a few extra men at a large event like Pumpkin Fest."  he said.

In other action, Brackett received commissioners' approval to purchase an annual subscription for eight Motorola bodycams to store recorded video. The annual cost is $6,624. Commissioners also approved $7,735 to replace the courthouse radiator. Another purchase is a $34,653 heat pump for the communications center. The county also received a Maine Municipal Association Workers Compensation Fund Grant. The county received $2,694 to purchase turnout gear, helmets and boots for three emergency management agency employees and  reflective jackets for maintenance workers. Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 17 in the courthouse.