Fred Harran: A safer Bucks County: Fully utilizing the Sheriff’s Office for public safety

Throughout my nearly four decades in law enforcement, one principle has remained constant: community safety is best achieved through collaboration and smart use of resources. Since becoming your Sheriff in 2022, I’ve worked to strengthen that collaboration by increasing staffing, expanding services, and ensuring our office is a visible, engaged partner in Bucks County’s broader public safety efforts.

Our application to participate in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) “task force model” is a continuation of that work. It’s a common-sense, narrowly tailored tool to help us manage individuals who have committed crimes, are wanted in Bucks County, and are found to be in the country illegally.

Under this program, a few specially trained deputies can access federal databases to verify immigration status. It is only for individuals already in custody based on criminal charges and outstanding Bucks County warrants. It is not, and will not be, used for immigration sweeps, random checks, or broad enforcement. Our policies explicitly prohibit such practices.

This program also saves taxpayer money by shifting the cost of jailing and transport to the federal government and covering training costs through federal funding.

Unfortunately, misinformation has overshadowed the facts. Let me be clear: this is about public safety, not politics. It’s disheartening to see deliberate falsehoods and personal attacks, including being slandered with Holocaust-era language simply for doing my job. As the only Jewish sheriff in Pennsylvania, this kind of rhetoric is deeply offensive and has no place in Bucks County.

We’ve engaged openly with community members, faith leaders, and organizations like the NAACP and Immigrant Rights Action to answer questions and offer full transparency, including real-time notifications when this program is used.

Bottom line. Those who commit crimes must face the consequences regardless of immigration status. This initiative enhances our ability to do just that, responsibly and lawfully. Together, we can build a safer Bucks County for all.

Sheriff Fred Harran, with over 38 years of law enforcement experience, directs a team of 95 professionals, including 76 sworn deputies, in providing essential services such as court security, warrant execution, civil process, sheriff’s sales, and gun permit administration.