One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Santa Ana Takes Step Toward Establishing Police Oversight Commission
Old Santa Ana City Hall.
(
Eli Pousson, CC BY-SA 2.0
/
Wikimedia Commons
)
Topline:
Santa Ana is closer to establishing a police oversight commission after city council members unanimously voted to create an advisory board on Tuesday.
What one supporter had to say: "I am in full support of a strong and robust police oversight commission to rein in abuses by Santa Ana police officers. They have been getting a lot of money, but I don't feel safe here in my neighborhood,” said Sylvia Cortez, a Santa Ana resident.
The cost: Santa Ana taxpayers have paid out more than $20 million in lawsuits and settlements over the last decade related to allegations of police violence and misconduct, according to Cortez.
What’s next: The city council holds a second vote on the proposal Nov. 15. If it passes, the oversight commission will be installed in 30 days. An independent oversight director would lead the board in investigating police misconduct and use of force.
Go deeper: Read more coverage of the meeting and this issue from our friends at Voice of OC: Santa Ana Takes First Step Creating a Police Oversight Commission
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
