DAVIS, Calif. — The Davis Police Department is facing criticism after an officer issued a traffic citation Thursday morning to a driver accused of excessively honking during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the city, prompting an administrative review and questions from immigration advocates about the department’s response to people monitoring ICE activity.
NorCal Resist, an organization that monitors immigration enforcement activity, accused Davis police of interfering with observers attempting to alert residents to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“Davis PD does not want us to keep our community safe by alerting neighbors ICE is in the area,” the organization wrote in a social media post Thursday.
The organization shared an image of a traffic citation identifying California Vehicle Code Section 27001(a), which regulates the use of vehicle horns.
The Davis Police Department confirmed that an officer issued a citation near the intersection of Cowell Boulevard and Lillard Drive at approximately 10:08 a.m. Thursday.
According to the department, the officer was conducting routine traffic enforcement when the officer observed a driver excessively sounding their vehicle’s horn.
“The officer conducted a traffic stop and issued a citation for unlawful use of a vehicle horn,” the department stated. “The incident is under administrative review to determine if any City policies or regulations were violated.”
The incident occurred shortly after federal authorities notified local police that immigration agents would be operating in Davis.
According to the department, Department of Homeland Security personnel contacted Davis police shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday to advise that federal agents would be conducting an operation in the city using unmarked vehicles.
Police said federal authorities did not request assistance or provide information about the nature or location of the operation.
The notification was shared with the on-duty watch commander and recorded in the department’s Computer-Aided Dispatch system.
At approximately 10:40 a.m., DHS personnel notified Davis police that they had left the city. No additional information about the operation was provided.
NorCal Resist criticized the traffic citation, arguing that sounding a horn to alert residents to immigration agents was an expression of opposition to federal enforcement activity.
“Honking your horn at ICE officers is also an expression of speech that we do not want the harm they inflict on our communities through unlawful and violent arrests!” the organization wrote.
The group called on residents to contact Davis City Manager Daryel Dunston and demand that police leave immigration observers alone.
“WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED. WE WILL NOT BE STOPPED FROM ASSERTING OUR RIGHTS TO DOCUMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AND EXPRESS OUR DISSENT TO ABUSE,” the organization stated.
The organization also urged residents to contact Dunston directly and demand clear instructions to the police department to stop acting as security for ICE.
In response to the controversy, Dunston emphasized that Davis does not support federal immigration enforcement operations.
“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.
The department also reaffirmed its commitment to 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.”
Dunston urged residents to allow the administrative review to proceed before drawing conclusions about the officer’s actions.
“I know these reports are troubling, but let’s not rush to judgment and assume negative intent,” Dunston 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.”
The department acknowledged that the incident could undermine public confidence in local law enforcement, particularly among residents concerned about federal immigration enforcement.
“We understand how this interaction may be perceived by members of our community, particularly those concerned about federal immigration enforcement,” the department stated.
“An incident like this can create the perception that local law enforcement is assisting federal immigration authorities and potentially undermine the trust we work hard to maintain. We take these concerns seriously.”
The department said the administrative review will determine whether any city policies or regulations were violated.
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