Mayor addresses media on arrest of juvenile taken into ICE custody

“This could have been a tragedy in our schools,” said Mayor DeMaria

By Neil Zolot

EVERETT – Last week, Everett Police received a credible tip regarding a juvenile male who made a violent threat against another student within the Everett Public Schools system. Following a prompt and thorough investigation, officers arrested the juvenile and reportedly recovered a 5-to-7-inch double-sided knife. No firearms were found, according to Mayor Carlo DeMaria at a press conference attended by the area’s major television stations on Tuesday afternoon in the City Hall Keverian Room.

“This could have been a tragedy in our schools,” said Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “Thanks to the quick and decisive action of the Everett Police Department, it was prevented. Public safety is our number one priority, on our streets and especially in our schools.”

Flanked by Police Chief Paul Strong, he added, “Chief Strong and I work hand-in-hand with one goal, to keep our citizens safe, and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the Superintendent of Schools [William Hart] and his team for keeping our schools safe. As parents ourselves we understand the trust families place in us when they send their children to school each day. When safety is threatened, our police officers take swift action to protect students, staff and families. We will continue to do everything within our power to protect the people of Everett and ensure schools remain safe for learning.”

Following fingerprinting, the juvenile was taken into custody by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency based on a match in their database. “There are two separate issues at play in this situation: safety and immigration,” DeMaria explained. “Everett and the Everett Police are responsible only for public safety, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Everett Police do not make arrests based on immigration status. Once an arrest is made, the police follow the standard booking process required by law. The police didn’t contact ICE about the arrest, but ICE acts independently and has authority to access certain databases and take action of their own accord. When an individual is taken into custody by ICE, Everett has no control over what happens next.”

Answering questions, he said he knows many people are scared of ICE. “We have people who are undocumented immigrants and they are scared,” he acknowledged. “We try to advise them to continue to live their lives. Cities like Everett thrive on immigration. Hopefully, people in Washington can get together and get it done.”

He and Strong also reported that the juvenile’s mother was present during processing, although no information about where the juvenile arrested or the juvenile subjected to the threat attend school was offered.

ICE operates independently of the City of Everett and the Everett Police Department, with its own access to certain law enforcement databases and the authority to act on its own accord. Once an individual is taken into ICE custody, the City of Everett and its Police Department have no control over subsequent actions.

“I believe ICE should have better-equipped juvenile facilities that allow minors to remain close to their families and legal counsel as they move through due process,” said the Mayor.

“At the end of the day, our message is simple: Safety comes first,” the Mayor concluded. “We will continue to do everything in our power to protect the people of Everett, especially our children, and to ensure that our schools remain safe places for learning and growth.”