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Allegheny County Council

Bill to unmask federal agents in the county hits a legal wall.

Written by Amy Whipple

An effort to unmask federal law enforcement working in Allegheny County will remain in committee for now.

Council Member DeWitt Walton of the Hill District introduced the legislation last month. It would have barred local, state and federal law enforcement from wearing masks, obscuring their badges or otherwise concealing their identity while working in the county. 

Frederick Frank, council’s solicitor, said at the May 14 public safety committee meeting that most of the proposed ordinance could not be enforced due to federal law preempting local law. It could likely be enforced with county police. “I do believe that we have the authority to direct the district attorney and the sheriff to do this,” he said. “They may have a difference of opinion.” 

Council’s chief clerk, Jared Barker, clarified that the two models for the proposed ordinance no longer stood since Walton proposed his. Philadelphia City Council amended its bill, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an injunction against the state of California’s.

“It would appear that our efforts to go down this path further would probably not be met with the kind of success we’re looking for,” said Council Member Paul Klein of Point Breeze.

Committee members voted to hold the bill to allow Walton to amend it to reflect the scope of the county’s authority.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
DeWitt WaltonPaul Klein
Topics:
Public Safety & EMSImmigration
Governments:
Allegheny County Council
Public meetings:
Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting · May 12, 2026
Sources:
Ordinance 13919-26 — amending and supplementing the Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 9, entitled “Conduct,” through the…

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