Santa Ana Police Seeks $250K for Drones

Santa Ana Police Department Seeks Funding for Drones

The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking $250,000 to purchase drones, a request that will be presented to city leaders on Tuesday. This comes under a state law requiring law enforcement agencies to obtain council approval before acquiring military equipment, including drones. The proposal has sparked debate among residents, with some arguing the funds could be better allocated to community programs.

Police Commander Mat Sorenson explained that the purchase of drones would help improve response times and support tactical decisions during emergencies. “When we deployed drones here, we borrowed them from other agencies,” Sorenson said at a recent community meeting. He emphasized that the department aims to use drones as a “reactionary tool” rather than for surveillance purposes.

Sorenson also mentioned that the department is researching various drone models and developing a policy inspired by guidelines from the American Civil Liberties Union. This is intended to ensure the public that the drones will not be misused. “I'm not gonna make any promises here right now, but we are more than likely not going down the facial recognition route," he said. "For all intents and purposes, our drones will be a flying body, you know, use it deployed on actual calls for service where somebody's called the police. We're not randomly gonna be using it to surveil people or just fly around looking for crime.”

Expansion of Drone Use in Law Enforcement

If approved, Santa Ana would join other cities in Southern California, such as Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Beverly Hills, and Burbank, in utilizing drones to enhance police coverage. However, this expansion has raised concerns about privacy and accountability.

The issue of drone usage has gained attention following a recent community meeting where Santa Ana police presented a report on the use of military equipment in the city over the past year. During the meeting, the police department admitted to making mistakes in compliance with state law. Assembly Bill 481, passed in 2022, requires annual public reports detailing how and why military equipment was used, including summaries of complaints and internal investigations.

Despite the law, Santa Ana had not fulfilled its reporting obligations until last week. The sparsely attended meeting saw community members express concerns about the use of facial recognition technology and how data collected by drones would be stored.

Sensitivity in Santa Ana

These issues are particularly sensitive in Santa Ana, which is the only openly declared sanctuary city in Orange County. A quarter of the city’s population consists of non-U.S. citizens, and many residents fear for their safety due to increased immigration enforcement actions in Southern California.

Critics argue that the Santa Ana Police Department is not doing enough to protect residents from ICE activities and have accused law enforcement of being overly aggressive in responding to anti-ICE protests. City Councilmember Johnathan Hernandez shared his experience of being shot with rubber bullets by police while protesting. “I still have the bruises on my back from the eight shots that my own officers fired at me,” he said during a council meeting. “I still have the holes in my black shirt that my own officers from this city fired at me. I had no weapons on me.”

Community Concerns and Calls for Change

Community members echoed these concerns when discussing the drone purchase. Many urged the police department to redirect funding away from military-grade weapons and instead invest in community programs. This sentiment highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement capabilities and public trust.

How to Watchdog Your Police Department

One of the most effective ways to hold officials accountable is to stay informed. AB481 mandates that police departments, along with transit agencies, school districts, university campuses, sheriff’s departments, district attorney’s offices, and probation departments, provide reports on the use of military equipment. To check if an agency is compliant, simply search for the agency’s name and AB 481 on a search engine.

Public meetings are another avenue for transparency. These events allow residents to engage directly with elected officials and learn about policies affecting their communities. For those interested in getting involved, there are resources available to guide participation in local government.

Upcoming Meetings and Public Engagement

Residents can attend public meetings to voice their opinions and stay updated on city developments. The next scheduled Santa Ana City Council meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19. The meeting includes a closed session from 4 to 5:30 p.m. More information on the city council calendar and how to submit a public comment can be found online.