A Connecticut city opened its police force to lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients following an 18-2 city council vote, drawing pushback from one member who opposed the change."I don't think it is in any way intended to make our city feel safer," Danbury City Council member Candace Fay, a Republican, told "Fox & Friends First" co-host Todd Piro."There's no public policy reason behind what the council did.There's no overarching need for police officers in our city.
There's no demand that this will meet.It was done simply as a political narrative, overwhelmingly done by virtue signaling, and it's further dividing our city," she added.NEW MAINE LAW LIMITS POLICE COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALSA photo of the exterior of Danbury City Hall on Monday, July 19, 2021, in Danbury, Conn.
(H.John Voorhees III/Connecticut Post via Getty Images)Fay's remarks come after the Danbury City Council voted last week to amend its police hiring ordinance, allowing lawful permanent residents and recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to apply to become city police officers.The change brings Danbury's rules in line with those adopted by Connecticut's Police Officer Standards and Training Council, which extended eligibility to lawful permanent residents in 2020 and DACA recipients in 2025.Though neither the city council nor Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour responded to Fox News' requests for comment before Tuesday morning's segment, city records show Ridenhour participated in an April committee discussion on the matter, during which he said police recruitment is a challenge and spoke about wanting to attract the "best qualified candidates."Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, a Democrat, said the measure removes barriers for qualified residents who want to serve the city.HOCHUL BOASTS 'I JUST BANNED IT' AS NEW YORK OUTLAWS LOCAL POLICE PARTNERSHIPS WITH ICECandace Fay, a member of the Danbury City Council in Danbury, Conn., sits down for an intervie...