Last week, during the early evening hours, federal law enforcement agents, assisted by local authorities, took part in an arrest procedure known as, Operation Community Shield. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and officers from the Lewisville Police Department coordinated a raid on the Blue Goose restaurant in Highland Village. Working from a national database of resident aliens who are affiliated with gangs and have had their residency status declared invalid, the team of law enforcement officers, some in uniform, others in plainclothes, effected the arrest without incident, as customers enjoyed their dinner, most of them unaware of the activity. According to a witness to the situation, about ten officers and agents descended on the restaurant about 7:30 p.m. Three of them entered, while the others covered the front and rear exits. They briefly spoke to the manager, explaining their reasons for being there, and then proceeded to make the arrest of Fernando Rosas, an adult busboy, employed at the popular dining establishment.  

    According to a police report, the manager said the agents were discreet and respectful to the customers and to him, identifying themselves as well as the identity of the person they were looking for. Another witness stated that the officers were professional and dressed in uniforms, except for a few who wore vests and jackets that read, “ATF” or “ICE.” In addition, it was mentioned that no weapons or tactical equipment was displayed. Except for the unusual number of marked police units and officers in the Shops at Highland Village section of the city, at FM407 and FM2499, most people only showed mild interest. Inasmuch as the very popular dining and entertainment area always displays a significant police presence and has almost no reports of criminal activity, the incident was unlikely to cause much concern. The subject was arrested and removed to a detention facility, where he will be processed by federal authorities.    

     The only part of the operation that could be deemed inappropriate is the fact that the Highland Village Police Department was not apprised of the activity until it was a fait accompli. According to the report, the federal agents, most of whom are from other areas of the country and not familiar with North Texas, were working that day with some Lewisville police officers as they responded to locations within that city. One of the locations on their list happened to be in Highland Village, so Lewisville officers continued to assist the agents when they crossed over the boundary line between cities. In such instances, it’s accepted protocol to notify the police department that is responsible for the area in which you are about to conduct an arrest situation. In this case however, evidently due to the exigent circumstances involved, protocol was breached. When this reporter spoke to Highland Village Police Chief Ed O’bara, it was apparent that he didn’t approve of the communication snafu, but recognized that it was done without any offensive intent to disregard policy.  

     Lewisville Police Chief Russ Kerbow, communicating with O’bara during the aftermath of the incident, said he was aware of his officers working with ATF and ICE, but unaware that they would be crossing city borders. The chief added that he will expect some answers regarding the breakdown in communication as he looks into the events leading up to the arrest. In the final analysis, no one was injured, there was no public disturbance and the authorities did their job of apprehending a suspect who was wanted for illegal activity.