HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorrespondence - #24 Orozco, Norma
From: Carl Benninger <benninger72@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2023 12:11 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Support for Item 24 on tonight's Agenda
I would like to express my support for Council's action on Assembly Bill
742, This bill should be opposed. It takes away a non-lethal way for
police to catch a criminal. Plus the animals who are police dogs are well
cared for by their trainers. Many trainers adopt the animals after their
service time is over, ensuring they will have a good home.
So I do ask all councilmember to say against Assembly Bill 742
Carl Benninger
1829 W. Garry Ave
Santa Ana, Ca 92704
Orozco, Norma
From: Bulmaro Vicente <boomer@chispaoc.org>
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 5:30 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Bacerra, Phil; Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Penaloza, David; Lopez, Jessie; Vazquez,
Benjamin; Hernandez, Johnathan
Subject: Agenda Item 24: Letter of Opposition - Chispa
Attachments: Chispa Letter of Opposition Item 24.docx.pdf
Categories: Correspondence, Complete
Good afternoon,
On behalf of Chispa, I am submitting the attached Letter of Opposition for Agenda Item 24. Thank you.
In Solidarity,
Boomer
Policy and Political Director I Chispa
e: boomer(@chispaoc.org c: 714-747.4271
1505 E 17th Street Suite 117 Santa Ana, CA 92705
Chispa is building a political home for young Latinxs in Orange County! Please consider making a
donation to help us build our casita. Chispa is a project of Tides Advocacy, a 5010 non-profit
organization.
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April 17, 2023
Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
ecomment(a,Santa-ana.ors
Via Email
RE: Resolution to Declare Opposition for Assembly Bill 742, Agenda Item 24
Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers,
Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item 24, A Resolution to Declare Opposition for Assembly Bill
(AB) 742, and instead adopt a resolution to support the bill. The City of Santa Ana (City) should
not backtrack on its efforts towards police reform, but must instead take proactive steps to
address the recent instances of misconduct and the alarming policing culture of the Santa Ana
Police Department (SAPD). The City must continue to work towards fostering accountability
and improving public safety for all its residents.
AB 742 will prohibit police from using canines in making arrests or for any form of crowd
control, putting an end to a vicious practice. Importantly, this bill will not prevent the use of
police canines for search and rescue, explosives detection, and narcotics detection that do not
involve biting.' The use of canines has severe and deadly consequences for the public,
particularly for communities of color. Per the California Department of JusticeUse of Force Data
from 2021, police canines accounted for nearly 12% of incidents that resulted in severe injury or
death. Of these cases, nearly two-thirds of the people that police canines seriously injured or
killed were Black or Latino. Additionally, Black people were 2.6 times more likely to be
seriously injured by police canines than white people. The bill aims to put an end to police using
canines to intentionally maul people, a cruel practice that disproportionately affects people of
color.
The Resolution to Declare Opposition to AB 742 comes in the wake of several egregious
incidents and lawsuits involving the SAPD. Recently, an article published by Knock LA brought
'https:Haclucalaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AB-742_Police-Canine-Use_Fact-Sheet.pdf
2 https:Hdata-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/USE%200F%20FORCE%202021.pdf
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to light a satirical and insensitive "be on the lookout" (BOLO)bulletin, circulated by the police,
which made reference to the 2021 killing of Brandon Lopez, the cousin of City Councilmember
Jonathan Hernandez. The BOLO revealed that officer Nelson Menendez, who was on duty at the
time, falsely claimed through radio communication that Lopez was carrying a gun. The BOLO
has been the subject of an internal affairs investigation for over a year and a half, yet no one has
been held accountable. The article also highlights two lawsuits filed by two former officers
against the City, alleging retaliation from the Police Chief and Command Staff.'
The SAPD's ongoing, appalling patterns of misconduct damage the City's reputation and
integrity, and erode public trust in the Department. Instead of opposing legislation like AB 742,
which aims to end cruel and deeply racialized practices, the City needs to address the
shortcomings of its own police department.
Currently, the City is taking proactive steps to improve police accountability with the
implementation of the historic Santa Ana Police Oversight Commission. We applaud these
efforts. The City must continue to adopt higher standards that will hold the police department
accountable, and ensure transparency. For these reasons, Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item
24, and instead adopt a resolution to support AB 742. The City must also determine next steps to
address Santa Ana Police Department's most recent disturbing and shameful misconduct.
Sincerely,
Signature
Bulmaro Vicente
Policy and Political Director
CC: vamezcuaLsanta-ana.org
PBacerra(a),Santa-ana.org
TPhan c(e santa-ana.org
DPenaloza&santa-ana.ors
JessieLopez&Santa-ana.orb
JRyanHernandez(a)santa-ana.org
bvazguez(a)santa-ana.or
s https://knock-la.com/fake-bolo-at-sapd-reveals-culture-of-harassment/
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Orozco, Norma
From: timrush@bhhscaprops.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 1:45 PM
To: eComment
Cc: 'Dave Elliott'; Valentin, David
Subject: AB 742, Bill to Ban the use of K-9 Dogs unleased for crowd control or arrest
Dear Honorable Mayor&Councilmembers;
On behalf of the G-7 Neighborhood Leaders Alliance we wish to implore you pass a proclamation asking that the
California State Assembly vote against the passage of this bill or any version of this bill. This bill is in direct opposition
to giving law enforcement the tools they need to maintain order and keep law abiding citizens safe. This is another
attempt by the "defund the police" crowd to further their goals to make our State and local communities less safe.
We hope that you will vote to pass a proclamation urging the defeat of this legislation. Thank you for supporting
neighborhoods and public safety.
Sincerely,
Tim Rush, Chairman
G-7 Neighborhood Leaders Alliance
Leaders Leading the Way to a Better Santa Ana
Cc; G-7 Board Members
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia
Tim Rush
Chief People Connector
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
The Maple Building, Corporate Offices
16911 South Bellflower Boulevard
Bellflower, CA 90706-5903
(714) 299-4455
17 Branch Sales Offices, Serving 6 Southern California Counties
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