Westminster council adopts statement calling for investigation, urges congressional action on federal enforcement issues

Westminster City Council on Feb. 9 adopted a public statement condemning apparent constitutional violations in recent federal enforcement actions and called for thorough, bipartisan investigations into two fatal shootings cited in the draft.

Councilor Jack Johnson read the proposed statement and moved its adoption with additional language urging Westminster’s U.S. congressional delegation to support accountability and reform measures under consideration in Congress. Johnson said the statement expressed the council’s support for impacted communities and its expectation of "full accountability for those who break the law." The body directed staff to post the statement on the city's website and transmit copies to the congressional delegation.

The draft cited two fatalities and urged a fair investigation. Johnson’s reading included: "We support the bipartisan call for a thorough and fair investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Bridal and Renee Goode… We demand justice and full accountability for those who break the law." He also affirmed confidence in the Westminster Police Department’s role in local enforcement.

Councilors debated whether to add explicit language calling on the congressional delegation to support pending federal reforms; a majority agreed to include that language. Councilor Christine Ireland said she supported peaceful protest rights but declined to back the additional congressional-call language without further study.

When the council took a roll-call/voice vote, Councilor Ireland voted no; the remaining councilors voted to adopt the statement. City Attorney Frankel advised that, if council had consensus, staff would publish the final statement and communications staff would distribute it through the city's usual channels. Mayor Pro Tem and council members said they would also transmit copies to the delegation.