Police are investigating threats against Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena made ahead of a public meeting related to immigration enforcement.
Catena, a Carnegie Democrat, joined a council meeting Tuesday evening virtually, explaining he had received a threat and was staying home with his family.
He linked the threat to a bill banning county employees from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which was on the agenda Tuesday evening. Catena abstained from voting on the measure.
“I will not be intimidated,” Catena said Tuesday. “I will not be bullied, and I will not allow threats against my family to dictate how I serve the people of Allegheny County. However, because a direct threat was made against me and my family today regarding the matter before this very evening, I’m going to abstain from tonight’s vote.”
Jim Madalinsky, a county police spokesman, on Wednesday confirmed police are looking into the threat made Tuesday morning.
“The investigation is ongoing and we have no further information to share at this time,” Madalinsky said in a written statement to TribLive.
Carnegie Police Chief Jeff Kennedy also confirmed Catena received threats. Kennedy said his department is assisting county police.
Catena did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.
Council on Tuesday approved legislation prohibiting county workers from cooperating with ICE in an 11-3-1 vote. County Executive Sara Innamorato in a statement Tuesday evening said she would sign the bill into law.
Dozens of residents packed the meeting, which stretched on more than four hours, with many voicing support for the bill.
The measure prohibits the county from transferring people from the county jail into ICE custody without a judicial warrant, signed by a judge. It also bars federal immigration officers from accessing the county’s databases or equipment for immigration enforcement operations.
Catena during Tuesday’s meeting denounced the threats made against him.
“That is totally intimidation, and it’s totally unacceptable,” the councilman said. “I’m not there with you tonight, because I’m at home with my family. That crosses a line that should alarm every single person that believes in democracy.”