Council Member McCosker Reports Federal Agents' Aggressive Tactics Against Peace Patrol

The Los Angeles City Council convened on August 8, 2025, to address pressing issues affecting the community, particularly concerning federal immigration enforcement actions. The meeting began with a commitment to document and share the experiences of constituents impacted by what was described as a "siege" by federal agents in the name of immigration reform.

Council President initiated the discussion by highlighting the recent increase in federal raids following a temporary restraining order that had briefly calmed the situation. He emphasized the council's intention to dedicate time at the beginning of each meeting to record these incidents and express opposition to the ongoing federal actions.

Council Member McCosker from the Fifteenth District shared a particularly alarming incident involving the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, a community volunteer group monitoring federal activities. He reported that a member of this group, a U.S. citizen, was arrested during a lawful monitoring operation. McCosker described the arrest as aggressive and unjustified, noting that federal agents drew weapons on other peace patrollers who were merely seeking information about the incident. He characterized the arrest as a violation of the temporary restraining order and an unconstitutional action by federal officers.

McCosker praised the efforts of the Harbor Area Peace Patrol, asserting that their presence has been effective in witnessing and potentially preventing further violations of residents' rights. He expressed concern that federal agents are attempting to intimidate the group to suppress their activities. The council member reaffirmed the need to uphold the rights of all residents and pledged to continue legal efforts against these federal actions.

Following McCosker's remarks, the council president invited other members to share similar stories or experiences from constituents, reinforcing the council's commitment to addressing these issues in future meetings.

The session then transitioned to presentations, with Council Member Monica Rodriguez from District 7 taking the floor to introduce the next agenda item. The meeting underscored the council's ongoing focus on community safety and civil rights amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.