The Ch RON IC EE Volume45,Number29 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 ‘What’s right, what’s moral, what’s legal’ Sheriff Kimbrough addresses ICE agreement during community forum BY TEVIN STINSON THE CHRONICLE To mark his first 100 days in office, on Monday, March 25, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough held an open forum with the residents of Forsyth County to discuss some of the changes he’s made since taking the oath of office and to address any concerns the residents may have. A native of Winston- Salem with more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement and after de feating longtime incum bent Bill Schatzman in the general election, Kim brough was sworn in as the first African-American sheriff in Forsyth County. After taking the oath from Superior Court Judge Todd Burke, Kimbrough prom ised voters that while he’s in office, everyone in For syth County would have a voice within the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. diversity within the de partment, training, gun permits, guns in schools, the local SRO (School Re source Officer) Program, or the budget, Kimbrough and his staff addressed ev ery question. “I think as an elected official, there’s an obli gation to the people that vote you in that we come before you and give you the chance to put us to the test and ask difficult ques tions,” said Kimbrough. “...You have the right to know what’s going on in your sheriff’s office. We have an obligation to re port back to you.” A large portion of the crowd during the forum were there to ask ques tions about the Forsyth- ICE (Immigration Cus toms Enforcement) jail agreement, which allows U.S. Marshals to use the Forsyth County Detention Center to detain immi grants. Before the forum, Photos by levin Stinson Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough shares his thoughts on the agreement with ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement, that allows U.S. Marshals to use the Forsyth County Detention Center during a recent community forum. Before the community forum hosted by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, mem bers of Siembra NC held a press conference asking Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough to ‘uncheck box 18’. Sheriff Kimbrough has been on record several times stating that he plans to withdraw from the cur rent agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service, but the contract currently in place, which was signed by Schatzman, doesn’t end until next month. He said on April 30 when the contract is up for renewal, his team will have the power to make a decision on the future of the agreement, but until then he has to follow the contract. “...There are contrac tual agreements that I have to respect because I can’t cost the county money based on what I feel or what I think. My deci sions are based on what is right, what is moral, and what is legal,” continued Kimbrough. “...We’re negotiating with the U.S. Marshals Service because what you have to realize is ICE isn’t only immigra tion, ICE handles human trafficking, guns, and a whole slew of things.” Kimbrough said when he sits down to restruc ture the contract, he plans to make sure they aren’t housing individuals who have immigration viola tions. He noted since mak ing his views on the For syth ICE-Jail Agreement public earlier this year, the sheriff’s office has not honored the I-203 form that orders the detainment of immigrants. He said, “...I’m aware of the box. Believe me, you have my support. I’m going to do what’s right, what’s moral, and what’s legal.” On a lighter note, several residents in at tendance took the time to thank Sheriff Kimbrough for his commitment to the citizens ofForsyth County. Community activist Yusef Suggs congratulated Kim brough on his victory and thanked him for his stance against ICE. When discussing the changes within the FCSO, Sergeant W. Ow ens, who is also a native of Winston-Salem, said Kimbrough has brought a positive attitude to the sheriff’s office that wasn’t there before. “...The same way he was here today is the same way he is with us. He’s very welcoming, very open, and very transpar ent,” said Sgt. Owens. “He has brought a positive atti tude to the sheriff’s office. He’s really changing the atmosphere.” During an interview with The Chronicle, Kim brough said, “Everybody in this community we be lieve should have a voice. We want to serve all the community - the north, the south, the east, and the west. We believe that it’s going to take a village approach of law enforce ment.” Staying true to his word, during the forum Kimbrough didn’t shy away from any of the con cerns raised by residents. It did not matter if it was members of Siembra NC, a local grassroots Latinx organization that works to defend their communities from ICE detention and other forms of discrimina tion and exploitation, held a press conference to ask Kimbrough to ‘uncheck box 18’ of the U.S. Mar shals Service agreement that gives ICE access to the jail. “We are .asking Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough to sim ply change the U.S. Mar shals’ jail agreement that is currently standing,” said Laura Gardufio of Siembra NC during the press con ference. “All he needs to do is uncheck the box on num ber 18. We’re asking him to change it so our im migrant families can stop living under the imminent threat of being separated by Immigration Customs Enforcement.” During a community forum at the Central Library on Monday, March 26 Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough addressed several concerns from residents. Kimbrough said the forum is just the first of several forums his office plans to hold throughout the year. ^ >- S $ E SELF STORAGE We Rent U-Haul Trucks! * Professional self-storage. •• ASSURED STORAGE | of Winston-Salem,^ (336) 924-7000 www.assuredstoragews.com Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm: Sat 9am-3pm Gate Hours: 5am-10pm 4191 Bethania Station Road • Winston-Salem (WILSON \NcU/

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