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stes also explained that last week’s operation on Central Avenue was a saturation patrol, in which multiple police cars are brought to an area. The basis for the patrol was an alcohol-related fatal crash in the area a week earlier, and, according to Estes, the patrol had nothing to do with the area’s large illegal immigrant population.

“Every checkpoint we do is with the motoring public’s safety in mind, nothing to do with any other type of enforcement,” Estes said.

At the City Council meeting, council member Edmund Driggs (R) said Winston’s “dark insinuation” was “disrespectful” to the CMPD, whose job is to keep roads safe.

“I think the idea that there was some sort of collusion with anybody else is just disrespectful to our police department,” Driggs said.

“This has been politicized and distorted in a way that undermines the ability of CMPD to do their mission,” Driggs continued. “Their basic mission is to ensure public safety.”

“This is a no-win situation here, and the logic is utterly twisted,” he concluded.

After a heated discussion, the council voted to approve the grant.

The contentious meeting came the same day as Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) criticized President Donald Trump for calling illegal immigrants who drive while drunk “criminal.”