Nearly a week after a Helena man was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mayor Wilmot Collins asked Helenans to “not lose compassion” for its police force.
“I understand the immense frustration and fear that many of our residents feel about what transpired,” Collins said at Monday’s City Commission meeting. “The facts about what happened and the role of the Helena Police Department doesn’t change the circumstances for Mr. Martinez and his family. But I do believe it is important to reiterate what occurred with our police officers.”
On July 7, 40 public commenters urged Helena city commissioners to avoid future cooperation with ICE in the wake of Christopher Martinez’s arrest.
CHRISTINE COMPTON, Independent Record
Helena man Christopher Martinez, 31, was detained by ICE after a July 1 traffic stop with Helena police.
He entered the