Maine is the focus of national attention after another ICE fatal shooting. Amidst all the media coverage comes an official statement from DHS on its X (Twitter) feed that includes the following: “The vehicle attempted to flee the scene, and fearing for public safety, the officer discharged his weapon.”

Aside from being notable for not claiming the officer felt personally threatened, this concept of fearing for public safety justifying a fatal shooting raises a broader question for us all: If we, the people of Maine, fear for our public safety with ICE behaving in such fashion, what are we justified in doing? This is not a Stand Your Ground state, so thankfully gun battles will not be breaking out between citizens and unmarked SUVs. We have our state and local police forces, but are they empowered to do anything?

Fearing for our safety is surely our public right. It must not be left to protesting residents to take whatever actions they can, even if inspired by the example of Minnesota residents this past winter. Our elected leaders and all levels of government must shoulder their responsibility to address what is demonstrably a life or death situation. Maine deserves nothing less.

Daniel Braden
Scarborough