DAVIS, Calif. — Davis Mayor Donna Neville and Vice Mayor Gloria Partida issued a public apology Friday following a traffic stop involving a community member monitoring federal immigration enforcement activity, as the woman cited by police alleged that an officer interfered with her efforts to warn residents about ICE agents operating in the city.
Jill Judd, who received a citation Thursday morning for improperly sounding her vehicle’s horn, identified herself publicly and provided an account of the encounter, alleging that Davis police intervened after federal immigration agents alerted officers that they were being followed.
The matter is under investigation.
In a statement released Friday evening, Neville and Partida apologized for the incident involving NorCal Resist and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to its sanctuary policies.
“We speak out today to apologize for the incident that occurred yesterday in Davis while NorCal Resist was attempting to warn community members of the presence of ICE in our community,” the two officials wrote.
“We value nothing more than the trust our community places in us,” they continued. “This incident, especially in light of the federal government’s current assault on immigrant rights, has only served to shake our community’s trust.”
The officials said the city was taking the incident seriously and confirmed that an internal review was underway.
“We also write today to reassure our community that we take our obligation not to assist ICE very seriously,” they wrote. “Equally important, we recognize and support our community’s rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution to peacefully protest.”
In a Facebook post, Judd said she had been following an unmarked vehicle she identified as belonging to ICE after observing several vehicles leave the Rancho Yolo mobile home community.
She alleged that federal agents contacted Davis police about her activities before the traffic stop.
“Prior to being pulled over by Officer Squibbs, ICE called the police to alert them of my presence,” Judd wrote.
Judd said she observed two Davis police patrol cars pull alongside the vehicle on Lillard Drive, where officers appeared to speak with its occupants.
“They chatted for a few moments while I watched,” she wrote. “The ICE vehicle drove away and I followed. Yes, alerting the community via horn, whistle and voice.”
According to Judd, she stopped at a red light at Cowell Boulevard and Lillard Drive after the vehicle she was following proceeded through the intersection.
She said Officer Squibbs pulled alongside her vehicle and instructed her to pull over.
“I complied. He didn’t reprimand me. He held me and wrote a ticket for horn honking,” Judd wrote.
Judd alleged that the officer stopped her to prevent her from continuing to follow the federal agents.
“There is NO doubt that Officer Squibbs was interested in interfering with the following of the ICE vehicle,” she wrote.
“There is NO doubt that ICE informed Davis PD that they were being followed and wanted assistance. Officer Squibbs gave them the assistance they requested by detaining me while ICE drove away.”
Judd’s allegations about communications between ICE and Davis police have not been independently verified.
Judd acknowledged that the officer had legal grounds to issue a citation for improper horn use but questioned the circumstances of the stop.
“We can debate the legality of honking a horn to alert the community of a danger. The citation stands. But that’s not really the issue,” she wrote.
Judd also alleged that Squibbs told her the vehicle she had been following did not belong to ICE.
“Officer Squibbs told me directly that the vehicle I was following was NOT ICE. It was!” she wrote.
She described the vehicle as having blacked-out windows and no visible front or rear license plates.
Judd also questioned the officer about federal agents wearing face coverings and clothing identifying them as police officers.
According to the city’s account released Thursday, Department of Homeland Security personnel notified Davis police shortly before 9 a.m. that federal agents would be operating in Davis using unmarked vehicles.
The department said federal officials did not request assistance or disclose the nature or location of their operation. The notification was provided to the on-duty watch commander and entered into the department’s Computer-Aided Dispatch system.
At approximately 10:08 a.m., a Davis police officer stopped a driver near Cowell Boulevard and Lillard Drive after observing what the department described as excessive horn use.
The officer issued a citation under California Vehicle Code Section 27001(a), which regulates the use of vehicle horns.
At approximately 10:40 a.m., DHS notified Davis police that federal personnel had left the city.
The department stated that it had not assisted federal immigration enforcement and reaffirmed its obligations under the city’s sanctuary ordinance and the California Values Act, commonly known as SB 54.
“The Davis Police Department respects the right to peacefully protest and express concerns regarding immigration enforcement,” the department stated.
“Our department remains committed to complying with the City of Davis Sanctuary City Ordinance and the California Values Act (SB 54). We have not assisted or participated in federal civil immigration enforcement activities, and we remain committed to upholding these legal obligations.”
City Manager Daryel Dunston also addressed the incident and the city’s position on federal immigration enforcement.
“Let me be clear, the City of Davis does not support ICE activities, and the City Council and myself have been unequivocal in that direction to staff,” Dunston said.
Dunston urged residents to await the outcome of the administrative review.
“I know these reports are troubling, but let’s not rush to judgment and assume negative intent,” he said. “Let’s allow space for the administrative review process to run its course. If it is found that internal policies were violated, it will be addressed accordingly.”
In their Friday statement, Neville and Partida also provided information about constitutional protections available to individuals approached by immigration agents.
The guidance addressed encounters with ICE in public, at homes and workplaces, and during detention, including the right to remain silent, refuse consent to searches and seek legal representation.
“Everyone in the United States—regardless of immigration status—has fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution when approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” the officials wrote.
“We stand in solidarity with everyone that rejects the campaign of terror inflicted on our communities.”
The Davis incident follows an encounter in Sacramento in late October in which three individuals associated with NorCal Resist were detained by local police while monitoring federal immigration enforcement activity.
Following that incident, Sacramento City Manager Maraskeshia Smith issued a directive prohibiting police officers from acting as security for ICE operations or intervening solely because federal agents were being followed, observed or recorded.
The City of Davis has not announced when its investigation will be completed or whether the findings will be made public.
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