Chicago police told to stand down as border patrol agents were surrounded by angry protesters
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Chicago police officers, on their way to assist federal agents surrounded and threatened by anti-ICE protesters, were reportedly ordered by the chief of patrol to stand down and not provide any help. The revelation is based on dispatch audio and an internal department message.
Agents surrounded by anti-ICE protesters
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the group of agents was on routine patrol in Chicago’s South Side on Saturday, October 4, when they were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by ten cars.
The incident occurred about 15 miles from protests outside the ICE processing center in Broadview. When agents attempted to escape, a woman carrying a semi-automatic gun allegedly tried to run them over but was shot by police.
Orders stopped local police from responding
Chicago officers were initially prepared to help the agents but were told to hold back by the chief of patrol, according to a dispatch recording.
“Younger male Hispanic wearing all black… wanted for the hit-and-run, this guy fled from the scene,” a female dispatcher said in response to the distress call, in audio obtained by ExxAlerts. “When the offending vehicle crashed, they ran the federal agent off the road, they fled on foot westbound.”
A male voice then directed officers to approach the scene but wait nearby until further orders. Seconds later, the same voice sharply instructed, “Per the chief of patrol: clear everybody out, we’re not responding over there.”
The dispatcher relayed, “Per the chief of patrol, all units clear out from there, we’re not sending anybody out to that location.”
One officer, caught in traffic with sirens audible, responded, “We’re going to clear out as soon as we can; we’re blocked in over here, so we’ll do the best we can to get out.”
Fox News later obtained an internal department memo that confirmed the order:
“PLEASE CHIEF OF PATROL NO UNITS WILL RESPOND TO THIS… CALLER IS 1 OF APPROX 30 ARMED PATROL AGENTS (ICE) WHO ARE BEING SURROUNDED BY A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE REQUESTING CPD.”
Chicago Police Department denies the claim
The Chicago Police Department rejected the reports, saying officers did respond to the incident.
“To clarify misinformation currently circulating, CPD officers did in fact respond to the shooting scene involving federal authorities on Saturday to maintain public safety and traffic control,” the department said in a statement to Fox.
“The Chicago Police Department will always respond to anyone under attack or physical threat. For incidents involving federal immigration enforcement, CPD supervisors will respond to the scene and determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with City law.”
