Suspicious 3 a.m. activity sparks concerns of ICE activity in North Waltham

A video captured last week by Jordan O’Laughlin, a North Waltham resident, shows two vehicles blocking the intersection of Jericho Hill Road and Princeton Avenue at approximately 3 a.m. on Jan. 25.

O’Laughlin shared the video in a post on Reddit, expressing concern and questioning if the vehicles belonged to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The video shows a white SUV stopped with brake lights and another white vehicle parked side by side in front of a Princeton Avenue residence. Three individuals can be seen approaching and entering both vehicles. 

According to O’Laughlin, the incident lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which time the three individuals, wearing all black, walked up Jericho Hill Road toward the woods before returning to their vehicles.

O’Laughlin said he was concerned that vehicles blocked the street and a fire hydrant, leaving no way for anyone, including emergency vehicles, to get in or out. He said he was also concerned that his neighborhood is home to many young children who could be scarred by such actions. He said he was also worried that the recent incidents of violence by ICE agents in other states could happen here.

“Seeing them will make people, especially kids, scared,” he said, “and our country does not need more kids growing up scared of law enforcement because of the acts of a few bad apples.” 

The Lexington Observer reported that a recent delivery of approximately 24 ICE vehicles to the Boston Area Field Office in Burlington has sparked local concern of increased ICE presence in the area. 

These recently delivered vehicles included white Dodge Durangos and Ford Interceptors, both of which match the vehicles seen in the video.

ICE did not respond to a request for comment on the incident.

A Waltham police spokesperson said the department was not involved in the incident and could not confirm the identity of the individuals or agency involved.

“We have nothing in our call for services. If there is a call for service it would be in our daily log,” Waltham police told The Waltham Times in an email.

Additionally, the WPD spokesperson said the department had no comment on another agency’s activity in the city. 

“In general, common sense should prevail if a person feels the need to call the local police. Our department’s priority is to ensure the safety of all in accordance with Massachusetts law. Local law enforcement has no role in determining the legality of federal actions.”