News Summary
Santa Ana city leaders voted 4-3 to allow the police department to continue using military-grade equipment. The decision is met with community opposition and concerns about transparency and over-policing. With local activists voicing their worries, the police department is expected to improve compliance with state laws and community engagement going forward.
Santa Ana city leaders voted 4-3 to approve a military equipment policy on Tuesday, allowing the Santa Ana Police Department to continue utilizing military-grade weapons, including less-lethal bean bag shotgun rounds, drones, and armored vehicles. This decision comes amid community opposition and concerns over the need for such equipment in a local police force.
The approval gives the Santa Ana Police Department the authority to apply for surplus military equipment and corresponding funding from the federal government. The new policy aligns with state law established under Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481), which mandates police departments across California to publish annual reports detailing their military equipment usage and acquisition, as well as requiring local government leaders to review and vote on these policies each year.
During the city council meeting, local organizer Abraham Quintana raised questions about the necessity for military equipment, highlighting community fears of over-policing. This concern is particularly relevant in Santa Ana, which is recognized as the only “Sanctuary City” in Orange County, as city leaders attempt to navigate the complex relationship between law enforcement and community trust.
Concerns About Compliance and Transparency
In a troubling development, the Santa Ana Police Department acknowledged that it has not complied with AB 481 for the past two years, admitting it “messed up” on its reporting obligations. Following the council’s approval of the military equipment policy, officers indicated an intent to rectify this noncompliance and make future reports more detailed and informative.
A report presented at a community meeting revealed that military equipment had been deployed 30 times for field incidents and 11 times for community events, with maintenance costs amounting to approximately $30,000. However, community members expressed disappointment over the lack of specifics in this report, particularly regarding incidents involving injuries or community complaints related to military equipment usage.
Concerns surrounding privacy issues connected to the proposed drone program were also addressed. This program is still in its initial stages and estimated to cost around $250,000, but no formal request for its purchase has been made yet. Police Commander Mat Sorenson stated that while research is ongoing, the City Council must approve any formal proposal for acquiring drones.
Community Opposition and Calls for Improvement
Community members expressed significant disapproval of the military equipment policy, as no attendees spoke in favor of the decision during the public meeting. Activists voiced their frustration over the city’s failure to adequately publicize discussions surrounding military equipment and the ensuing lack of community input.
Bulmaro Vicente, an activist in the area, emphasized the importance of engaging the public in policy discussions that directly affect the community, reiterating the desire for more transparent and accessible meetings. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within the community that the decision-making process has not sufficiently considered residents’ perspectives or needs.
Next Steps for the Police Department
Following the council’s vote, the Santa Ana Police Department has committed to improving its compliance with state law and refining its military equipment reporting practices based on community feedback. This includes promising to provide more comprehensive details in future reports to address the concerns raised during recent meetings.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the military equipment policy and police practices in Santa Ana indicate that balancing public safety with community sentiment remains a complex challenge for city leaders. As the city navigates these issues, it faces the ongoing task of fostering a collaborative relationship between law enforcement and the residents they serve.
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Additional Resources
- LAist: Santa Ana Drone Program AB 481
- New York Times: Humvee Army Theft California
- Stripes: Army Humvee Theft in California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Military Equipment Policy
- Google Search: Santa Ana Police Department Military Equipment
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
