WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Principal sends families note saying ‘ICE vehicle was seen’ in district-owned lot nearby; Seattle Police say the vehicle was theirs; principal sends follow-up note saying ‘was not aware SPD was using unmarked patrol units’
ORIGINAL REPORT, 6:03 PM WEDNESDAY: Earlier today, a parent asked us about a secondhand report of an ICE sighting at or near Denny International Middle School today. We were unable to confirm it, and didn’t hear any other reports, but families have since received this note from Denny principal Mary Ingraham:
It was brought to our attention that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was seen in the Southwest Athletic Center parking lot today.
The recent announcement regarding the removal of protected areas from immigration enforcement and the possibility of ICE entering schools to deport students is deeply troubling to our district and community.
Our school and the SPS Safety and Security team responded immediately and effectively, and our school remains entirely safe. We also followed district procedures regarding immigration. Because our 8th grade students were outdoors on the field during lunch, we brought them inside early.
Please know at no point were our students or staff at any risk. We acted proactively to ensure safety. It is confirmed that the vehicle has left the area.
I spoke directly with 8th grade students because we believe in being transparent in our leadership and with our students. I explained to them that their safety is our priority, and we acted out of an abundance of caution.
As a reminder, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) remains steadfast in our commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student, regardless of race, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
We are deeply committed to the well-being of every student, family, and person in our care. Thank you for trusting us to look after your children each day.
Warmly,
Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School
The Southwest Athletic Complex, owned by SPS, is across SW Thistle from the campus shared by Denny IMS and Chief Sealth IHS. District policy “limiting immigration enforcement” can be read here and here. Meantime, SPS has two more days of classes before schools close for spring-break week.
ADDED 2:07 PM THURSDAY: One of the agencies to which we’d sent followup inquiries, Seattle Police, responded by sending a link to this new post on their SPD Blotter website:
The Seattle Police Department would like to clear the air regarding recent rumors and false media reports that have understandably fueled community concerns about alleged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near a school on Wednesday, April 9.
A school administrator emailed parents and community members stating an ICE vehicle had been seen near the school. This was false. The vehicle was from the Seattle Police Department as part of a commitment to prevent crime and protect students near schools where violence has become a concern.
Parents, students, and teachers can expect to see marked and unmarked police vehicles near these schools. As staffing allows, officers will be in these areas before and after school as well as around lunchtime. Officers may be wearing either the standard navy blue or a grey uniform. It is not our goal to alarm anyone with our presence as this is an effort to intervene in any issues before they escalate.
The Seattle Police Department is committed to a safe and supportive community for all people and supports the rights of undocumented people, who are often victimized and exploited. These members of our community may not feel safe coming forward when they are victims of crime. It remains the intent and commitment of the Seattle Police Department to foster trust and cooperation with all who live, work, and visit Seattle and to do all within our ability to preserve the safety and sanctity of our community.
We follow State law RCW 10.93.160 and Seattle Municipal Code 4.18.015:
The Seattle Police Department will not enforce civil federal immigration laws. The Seattle Police Department does not ask about an individual’s immigration status unless directly connected to a criminal investigation (eg. human trafficking).
You are a part of the Community:
The City is committed to helping its employees and communities, including immigrant communities, understand laws to avoid confusion and uncertainty.
You have rights:
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) enforces laws against illegal discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and contracting.
SOCR will continue providing outreach and trainings, including know your rights workshops to educate individuals and renters, and educate businesses and housing providers about their obligations under the law. This includes information about immigration and citizenship status as a protected class.
We will protect you:
The Seattle Police Department Bias Crime Unit will continue investigating hate crimes, act as a resource to patrol and other follow-up units, engage in officer training, and maintain hate crime and incident data.
New SPD Chief Shon Barnes issued this statement in February about department policy regarding immigration-related matters.
ADDED 4:28 PM: In response to our followup inquiries with them, SPS sent us this note that Principal Ingraham sent today to the Denny community:
This message is being sent as a follow up to my letter sent about a report that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was spotted near our campus yesterday.
It has been confirmed it was Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers on patrol in the vehicle.
Given the sensitive time we are in, I sincerely apologize for the distress and confusion caused by sharing incorrect information.
These patrols are at the request of Seattle Public Schools (SPS), and SPD has made a commitment to the district to conduct additional patrols around some of our campuses before and after school and during lunch periods.
These patrols are not to monitor students, but to provide extra visibility into the surrounding neighborhoods.
The police are using all available resources – including unmarked vehicles with government plates – for these directed patrols. The district was not aware SPD was using unmarked patrol units until this incident.
SPD will continue to direct these patrols to schools focusing primarily on middle and high schools based on incidents and need.
SPS remains steadfast in its commitment to providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environments for every student. Our school will continue to follow district protocols and procedures regarding the safety and security of our students and staff.
Please be assured I am taking steps to ensure accurate communication is shared in the future. I want to express my deep appreciation for our community—your care, support, and grace means a lot.
Sincerely,
Principal Mary Ingraham
Denny International Middle School
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