As city councilor for Precinct 9, I was proud to vote for the Safe City ordinance. I believe it is important for Greenfield to make sure that everyone in our community — whether native-born, immigrants, documented or undocumented — should be able to call for help from the police or fire departments or interact with other city departments and services without fear that doing so will endanger their or their family’s safety and well being.
Many lies have been spread about the ordinance, but the legal precedent is clear from the hundreds of other cities, counties, and states that have passed such laws. No one will lose their gun license or veterans benefits. Criminals cannot hide here and the truth remains that ICE could come here anytime, as undocumented people know full well; the ordinance does not keep them out. However, being a Safe City means we won’t spend Greenfield’s local dollars on helping ICE rip families apart, and it means that immigrants don’t have to be afraid to call for help when they need it. That makes all of us safer.
Please join me in affirming Greenfield as a safe and welcoming city on Nov. 5 by voting YES on ballot question 2.
Norm Hirschfeld
Greenfield Precinct 9 councilor