Photo by The OC Repoorter/ 3rd and Bush St – 1st Roundabout that Santa Ana installed a few years ago and many near misses of accidents
Roundabouts have been appearing across Santa Ana for several years—first as temporary installations, then as permanent fixtures. The downtown area saw its first roundabout at Third and Bush Streets, and in recent years, they’ve expanded into residential neighborhoods as part of the city’s broader traffic-calming strategy.
City officials tout roundabouts as a proven safety measure, citing studies showing they reduce the likelihood of fatal and serious injury crashes compared to conventional intersections. By design, roundabouts slow vehicle speeds and eliminate high-risk conflict points—like left-turn and head-on collisions—common at signalized or stop-controlled intersections. Drivers are expected to yield to circulating traffic, reduce speed on approach, and signal before exiting.
Photo by The OC Repoorter/ On November 19, 2025, 69-year-old Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga was struck and killed by a trash truck while crossing where a roundabout is installed.
But some residents now argue that these very features are creating new dangers.
On November 19, 2025, 69-year-old Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga was struck and killed by a trash truck while crossing at a crosswalk near the intersection of Bishop and Shelton Streets—a location where a roundabout was installed about a year ago. The Santa Ana Police Department is investigating the crash, and neighbors have voiced concerns that the roundabout’s layout may be contributing to hazardous conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Less than two weeks later, another serious crash occurred nearby. According to an OCFA dispatch log from November 28, 2025, at 11:56 p.m., multiple vehicles collided at the intersection of North Bush Street and East 8th Street—the same corridor as the downtown roundabout. Units from Division 6, including Battalion 9, Engine 75, and Truck 75, responded to the scene.
Photo by The OC Repoorter/ multiple vehicles collided at the intersection of North Bush Street and East 8th Street
Residents in the area report increased speeding and confusion around right-of-way rules, particularly at a roundabout that replaced a former four-way stop. Some say the change has made the intersection more chaotic, not safer—though the city has not released official crash data comparing conditions before and after installation.
Photo by The OC Repoorter/ Signs of drivers running into the roundabout on 9th and Spurgeon.
As Santa Ana continues to retrofit intersections with roundabouts in an effort to improve neighborhood safety, community members are calling for a closer review of their design, placement, and impact—especially in areas with high pedestrian activity.
According to the most recent Orange County Point-in-Time (PIT) Count data, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Ana rose from 1,298 in 2023 to 1,520 in 2024—an increase of approximately 17% in just one year. Countywide, the numbers tell a similarly troubling story: homelessness grew from 7,392 to 8,299 individuals over the same period.
These figures are more than statistics—they represent human beings living without the basic dignity of safe, stable shelter. The PIT Count, conducted each January by the Orange County Continuum of Care in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, offers only a snapshot of a complex and evolving crisis. Yet even this conservative estimate underscores a clear and worsening trend.
The Courtyard Homeless Shelter was closed and the homeless displaced.
Santa Ana, as Orange County’s second-largest city and a historic hub of community and culture, faces mounting pressure to respond with both urgency and empathy. While local officials have taken steps—such as expanding shelter capacity, launching outreach teams, and investing in affordable housing—the scale of need continues to outpace available resources.
The root causes of homelessness are multifaceted: soaring housing costs, stagnant wages, mental health challenges, and systemic inequities. No single policy or program can solve them alone. What’s needed is a coordinated, sustained effort that combines immediate humanitarian support with long-term structural solutions—rental assistance, supportive housing, behavioral health services, and prevention strategies that keep people from falling into homelessness in the first place.
As the 2025 PIT Count approaches, the community must ask: Will we accept a future where more of our neighbors sleep on sidewalks and in parks? Or will we choose bold, compassionate action that affirms the value of every resident?
Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana, foto de The Orange County Reporter
En una inquietante escalada de esfuerzos para suprimir el escrutinio público, la Asociación de Oficiales de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPOA) habría emitido una carta de cese y desistimiento a Ben Camacho, periodista de investigación local, en un aparente intento de silenciar la información sobre dos incidentes profundamente preocupantes que involucraron a oficiales de policía de Santa Ana. Esta medida no solo constituye una afrenta a la libertad de prensa, sino un duro recordatorio de la resistencia sistémica a la rendición de cuentas que sigue plagando a las instituciones policiales en todo el país, especialmente en casos de pérdida de vidas y violación de derechos constitucionales.
En el centro de esta controversia se encuentra el asesinato a tiros de Noé Rodríguez a manos de los agentes de policía de Santa Ana Luis Casillas #3755 e Isaac Ibarra #3178, un incidente que sigue bajo investigación del Departamento de Justicia de California. A pesar de la gravedad de la situación —Rodríguez falleció, su familia se prepara para presentar una demanda por homicidio culposo y los agentes involucrados permanecen en servicio activo sin medidas disciplinarias públicas—, ha habido un silencio ensordecedor por parte de los líderes de la ciudad, incluida la alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua. Ese silencio, ahora acompañado de las amenazas legales de SAPOA contra un periodista, huele a complicidad y proteccionismo institucional.
El uso de una carta de cese y desistimiento para intimidar a un periodista que realiza su trabajo —investigar e informar al público sobre asuntos de profundo interés público— sienta un precedente peligroso. Transmite un mensaje alarmante: informar sobre la violencia policial puede conllevar represalias legales. Así no funciona la democracia. Una prensa libre no es enemiga de las fuerzas del orden; es un freno necesario al poder, especialmente cuando este resulta en muerte y trauma para las comunidades marginadas.
Sede de la Asociación de Oficiales de Policía de Santa Ana en Santa Ana.
El caso de Rodríguez por sí solo justifica la máxima transparencia. Un hombre ha muerto. Los agentes que le dispararon siguen en sus puestos. La comunidad debe responder sobre las circunstancias del tiroteo, el uso de la fuerza, el proceso de revisión interna y por qué no se han tomado medidas administrativas. En cambio, el público se enfrenta al silencio de los funcionarios municipales y a amenazas legales del sindicato policial. Esto no es rendición de cuentas. Es obstrucción.
Y el comportamiento preocupante no termina ahí.
Otro agente de Santa Ana, Nickolas Cavendish #3664, está bajo escrutinio por otro incidente ocurrido en diciembre de 2023, durante una parada de tráfico en la que participaron dos civiles desarmados. Las declaraciones transcritas de las grabaciones de la cámara corporal revelan una terrible agresión verbal en la que el agente Cavendish supuestamente amenazó con “reventarles la cabeza”, colocar su cámara corporal en su coche, inventar una amenaza alegando que el conductor le había agarrado el cinturón y luego asesinarlo.
Estas no son las palabras de un agente de paz profesional. Son las palabras de alguien que se cree por encima de la ley. Tales amenazas, de comprobarse, constituyen no solo una falta grave, sino también una posible intimidación criminal. Sin embargo, el agente Cavendish sigue en servicio. Ni el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana ni el Ayuntamiento han hecho ninguna declaración pública sobre medidas disciplinarias. No hay transparencia. No hay rendición de cuentas.
Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana
La decisión de SAPOA de enviar una carta de cese y desistimiento a Ben Camacho, en lugar de abordar el fondo de estas acusaciones, revela sus verdaderas prioridades: proteger a los agentes del escrutinio, no al público. Los sindicatos tienen un papel en la defensa de los derechos de los trabajadores, pero no deben convertirse en escudos para la mala conducta ni en herramientas para intimidar a los organismos de control.
Los habitsntes de Santa Ana merecen algo mejor.
Merecen un departamento de policía que preste servicio con integridad, transparencia y respeto por los derechos constitucionales. Merecen líderes municipales, especialmente el alcalde Amezcua, que alcen la voz cuando se pierden vidas a manos de quienes juraron protegerlos. Y merecen un entorno mediático donde los periodistas puedan informar sobre las acciones del gobierno sin temor a represalias legales por parte de poderosos sindicatos policiales.
Ben Camacho no debe ceder. El público no debe mirar hacia otro lado.
La investigación del Departamento de Justicia de California sobre el asesinato de Noe Rodríguez debe continuar sin interferencias. La ciudad debe iniciar una investigación independiente tanto del tiroteo como de las amenazas del agente Cavendish. Y SAPOA debe comprender que, en una sociedad democrática, decir la verdad no es difamación, sino un deber.
Los intentos de silenciar a los periodistas, encubrir faltas de conducta y proteger a los agentes de la rendición de cuentas solo profundizan la crisis de confianza entre las fuerzas del orden y las comunidades a las que sirven. Santa Ana se encuentra en una encrucijada. ¿Optará por la transparencia y la justicia, o por el silencio y la autopreservación?
La respuesta definirá no sólo el futuro de su departamento de policía, sino el alma de la ciudad misma.
Santa Ana Police Department, Photo by The Orange County Reporter
In a disturbing escalation of efforts to suppress public scrutiny, the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (SAPOA) has reportedly issued a cease and desist letter to Ben Camacho, a local investigative journalist, in an apparent attempt to silence reporting on two deeply troubling incidents involving Santa Ana police officers. This move is not only an affront to press freedom but a stark reminder of the systemic resistance to accountability that continues to plague law enforcement institutions across the country—especially in cases where lives have been lost and constitutional rights violated.
At the heart of this controversy is the fatal shooting of Noe Rodriguez by Santa Ana Police Officers Luis Casillas #3755 and Isaac Ibarra #3178 —an incident that remains under investigation by the California Department of Justice. Despite the gravity of the situation—Rodriguez is dead, his family is preparing to file a wrongful death lawsuit, and the officers involved remain on active duty with no public disciplinary action—there has been a deafening silence from city leadership, including Mayor Valerie Amezcua. That silence, now accompanied by SAPOA’s legal threats against a journalist, reeks of complicity and institutional protectionism.
The use of a cease and desist letter to intimidate a reporter doing his job—investigating and informing the public about matters of profound public interest—is a dangerous precedent. It sends a chilling message: that reporting about police violence may come with legal retaliation. This is not how democracy functions. A free press is not the enemy of law enforcement; it is a necessary check on power, especially when that power results in death and trauma for marginalized communities.
Santa Ana Police Officers Association headquarters in Santa Ana.
The Rodriguez case alone warrants the highest level of transparency. A man is dead. The officers who shot him remain on the job. The community is owed answers—about the circumstances of the shooting, the use of force, the internal review process, and why no administrative action has been taken. Instead, the public is met with silence from city officials and legal threats from the police union. This is not accountability. This is obstruction.
And the troubling behavior does not end there.
Another Santa Ana officer, Nickolas Cavendish #3664, is under scrutiny for a separate incident in December 2023, during a traffic stop involving two unarmed civilians. Transcribed statements from the body camera footage reveal a harrowing verbal assault in which Officer Cavendish allegedly threatened to “bash your fucking brains in,” plant his body cam in his car, fabricate a threat by claiming the driver reached for his waistband, and then murder him.
These are not the words of a professional peace officer. They are the words of someone who believes they are above the law. Such threats, if proven, constitute not only gross misconduct but potential criminal intimidation. Yet, Officer Cavendish remains on duty. There has been no public statement from the Santa Ana Police Department or the City Council about disciplinary measures. No transparency. No accountability.
Santa Ana Police Department
SAPOA’s decision to target Ben Camacho with a cease and desist letter—rather than addressing the substance of these allegations—reveals its true priorities: protecting officers from scrutiny, not protecting the public. Unions have a role in defending workers’ rights, but they must not become shields for misconduct or tools to intimidate watchdogs.
The people of Santa Ana deserve better.
They deserve a police department that serves with integrity, transparency, and respect for constitutional rights. They deserve city leaders—especially Mayor Amezcua—who speak up when lives are lost at the hands of those sworn to protect them. And they deserve a media environment where journalists can report on government actions without fear of legal retribution from powerful police unions.
They deserve a police department that serves with integrity, transparency, and respect for constitutional rights. They deserve city leaders—especially Mayor Amezcua—who speak up when lives are lost at the hands of those sworn to protect them. And they deserve a media environment where journalists can report on government actions without fear of legal retribution from powerful police unions.
Ben Camacho should not back down. The public must not look away.
The California DOJ investigation into Noe Rodriguez’s killing must be allowed to proceed without interference. The city must launch an independent review of both the shooting and the threats made by Officer Cavendish. And SAPOA must understand that in a democratic society, truth-telling is not defamation—it is duty.
Attempts to silence reporters, cover up misconduct, and protect officers from accountability only deepen the crisis of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Santa Ana stands at a crossroads. Will it choose transparency and justice—or silence and self-preservation?
The answer will define not just the future of its police department, but the soul of the city itself.
In a city where public safety should be the top priority, a recent troubling encounter has raised serious concerns about the accountability and oversight within the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD). What began as a citizen’s attempt to report a dangerous police practice has turned into a disturbing realization: SAPD officers are patrolling the streets without proper supervision or accountability.
The issue at hand involves the reckless use of patrol vehicle spotlights, which have been repeatedly shined directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers. This dangerous practice poses a serious risk of temporary blindness, potentially leading to life-threatening accidents. One such incident involving SAPD Patrol Unit #838 was captured on video, clearly documenting the reckless use of the spotlight. The unit was followed by a concerned citizen until it sped away, evading any attempt at engagement.
What is most alarming, however, is not just the spotlight misuse — it’s the confirmation by a Night Supervisor Corporal Martinez #3349 that these officers were out on patrol and unaccounted for at the station. When the concerned citizen reported the incident and provided the unit number, the supervisor admitted that the officers were not logged in or being monitored by the watch commander or supervisor on duty.
This is not just a procedural oversight — it is a systemic failure.
Santa Ana Police Department Patrol Unit in Question. Unaccounted for and unknown patrol police agents.
A Breakdown in Command Structure
The foundation of effective law enforcement is a clear chain of command and real-time supervision. Officers must be tracked, monitored, and held accountable for their actions while on patrol. The fact that SAPD supervisors were unaware of the whereabouts of active patrol units suggests a breakdown in basic oversight mechanisms.
When officers operate without supervision, the potential for abuse, misconduct, and negligence increases dramatically. In this case, we’re talking about practices that endanger public safety — blinding drivers, creating hazardous road conditions, and evading accountability.
A Threat to Public Trust
This incident also erodes the trust between the community and the police. Citizens who step forward to report concerns deserve to be heard and assured that their safety is a priority. Instead, this individual was met with an unsettling reality — that the system designed to protect them may, in fact, be operating without sufficient controls.
Santa Ana residents deserve better. We deserve to know that every officer patrolling our streets is under the supervision of a command structure that ensures both public safety and officer accountabilitpy.
Santa Ana Police Department Patrol Unit that’s Unaccounted for, Supervisor doesn’t know who’s driving it. Also shining spotlight on oncoming drivers.
What Needs to Happen Now
Immediate Investigation: SAPD leadership must launch a full investigation into the use of spotlights and the circumstances surrounding Patrol Unit #838. The video evidence must be reviewed, and the involved officers should be identified and questioned.
Transparency: The department must be transparent about how patrol units are dispatched, tracked, and supervised. If there are gaps in protocol, they must be acknowledged and corrected immediately.
Policy Review: A review of current SAPD policies regarding spotlight use and field supervision is urgently needed. Clear guidelines must be established and enforced.
Community Oversight: The City Council and civilian oversight board should step in to ensure that this is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern that has gone unnoticed or unaddressed.
Conclusion
The safety of our community cannot be left to chance. When police officers are unaccounted for and engaging in reckless behavior, it is not just a failure of individual officers — it is a failure of leadership. The people of Santa Ana deserve a police department that protects and serves with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
It’s time for SAPD to answer for the breakdown in oversight and take immediate steps to restore public trust before a preventable tragedy occurs.
Photo by: The Orange County Reporter / Shooting At The 17th Street Bridge at the Santa Ana River Trail. Heavy Santa Ana Police Department Investigating Shooting.
Over the past three months, a troubling pattern has emerged along the Santa Ana River Trail. As of last night—July 10, 2025—there have been multiple shootings near the 17th Street Bridge in Santa Ana, raising serious concerns about public safety on one of the city’s most popular recreational paths.
The Santa Ana River Trail is more than just a bike path—it’s a vital artery for commuters, fitness enthusiasts, and families looking to enjoy a peaceful stretch of nature within an urban environment. But with recent incidents concentrated in the evening hours, many residents are asking: How safe is it really to use the trail after dark?
A Pattern of Violence
While crime can occur anywhere, the frequency of shootings near the 17th St. Bridge over the past 90 days suggests a troubling hotspot. These incidents not only endanger those using the trail but also cast a shadow over the sense of security that should accompany outdoor recreation.
Most of the crimes reported occurred during twilight or nighttime hours, prompting understandable concern among joggers, cyclists, and pedestrians who rely on the trail for exercise and transportation. The question now isn’t just whether these crimes are isolated events—but whether they signal a broader issue that demands immediate attention.
Where Is Law Enforcement?
Many residents are also questioning the presence and effectiveness of patrols by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) along the river trail within city limits. While SAPD does conduct regular patrols in the area, the recent spate of violence raises concerns about whether current efforts are sufficient to deter criminal activity.
We urge SAPD to provide transparency regarding their patrol schedules and strategies for securing this critical public space. Increased visibility—particularly during high-risk hours—could go a long way toward restoring community confidence and preventing further incidents.
Additionally, coordination with neighboring agencies such as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Anaheim PD may be necessary, as the river trail spans multiple jurisdictions. A unified approach could enhance safety and ensure consistent enforcement across the entire corridor.
What Can Be Done?
Community engagement must also play a role in improving safety. Encouraging trail users to report suspicious behavior, increasing lighting in high-traffic areas, and installing emergency call boxes near known trouble spots could make a meaningful difference.
Local advocacy groups, neighborhood associations, and city officials should come together to evaluate the situation and develop a comprehensive safety plan. This includes not only law enforcement measures but also outreach to at-risk youth and support for community-based interventions that address the root causes of violence.
Final Thoughts
The Santa Ana River Trail should be a place of connection, wellness, and community—not fear. While we acknowledge the challenges law enforcement faces in maintaining safety across a sprawling city, the recent shootings demand a stronger, more visible response.
Residents deserve to walk, bike, and commute safely. City leaders and police officials must act swiftly to ensure that the trail remains a source of pride and enjoyment, not anxiety and danger.
It’s time for action—for accountability, for awareness, and above all, for safety.
Call to Action: We encourage all concerned residents to attend the next Santa Ana City Council meeting and voice their concerns. We also urge the SAPD to issue a public statement outlining their plans for enhancing safety on the Santa Ana River Trail.
Las calles de Santa Ana se han convertido en un campo de batalla por los derechos humanos fundamentales, donde los residentes viven con miedo, no de los delincuentes, sino de los cazarrecompensas armados que operan con alarmante impunidad. El silencio de la alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua y la complicidad del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD) al permitir estos secuestros violentos no solo es preocupante, sino también inaceptable.
El martes 1 de julio de 2025, surgieron múltiples informes de secuestros descarados llevados a cabo por cazarrecompensas en Main St., Warner Ave. y Edinger Ave. Los testigos describieron escenas que serían más propias de una zona de guerra que de una ciudad de EE. UU.: individuos armados agarrando a la gente en la calle, apuntando rifles de asalto, incluidas armas tipo AK-47, a civiles aterrorizados y desapareciendo con sus víctimas mientras las fuerzas del orden se quedaban de brazos cruzados sin hacer nada.
Reflexionen sobre esto: la policía no respondió. A plena luz del día, frente a agentes del Departamento de Policía de San Diego (SAPD), cazarrecompensas —agentes privados sin autoridad legal— cometieron secuestros e intimidación. Esto no es justicia. Esto no es seguridad. Es una abdicación del deber por parte de quienes juraron proteger al público.
La alcaldesa Valerie Amezcua no ha hecho declaraciones públicas, ni ha dado conferencias de prensa, ni ha reconocido la creciente crisis. ¿Dónde está su voz? ¿Dónde está su liderazgo? Si la alcaldesa no puede, o no quiere, defender la seguridad y la dignidad de los residentes de Santa Ana, no tiene derecho a dirigir esta ciudad.
Los cazarrecompensas no son agentes del orden. No operan bajo los mismos estándares de supervisión, entrenamiento ni rendición de cuentas. Sin embargo, aquí en Santa Ana, actúan como si llevaran placas: amenazan, detienen e incluso secuestran a personas sin consecuencias. Y el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD), en lugar de intervenir para detener estos delitos, parece estar protegiéndolos.
Esto plantea serias preguntas:¿Qué tipo de relación existe entre el SAPD y estos cazarrecompensas? ¿Estamos presenciando una colusión? ¿Existe un acuerdo informal que permite a actores corruptos imponer su propia justicia mientras se ignora la verdadera?
Los residentes de Santa Ana merecen algo mejor. Merecen un alcalde que los proteja, no que los ponga en riesgo. Merecen un departamento de policía que sirva y proteja, no que permita la violencia y las desapariciones.
Si la alcaldesa Amezcua sigue guardando silencio mientras los cazarrecompensas aterrorizan nuestros barrios, entonces sí, debería ser destituida. Su inacción no es neutral; es peligrosa. Envía el mensaje de que algunas vidas no importan, que la violencia es tolerable y que la rendición de cuentas es opcional.
Y al SAPD: su juramento fue proteger al pueblo. Al cruzarse de brazos y permitir que hombres armados secuestraran ciudadanos en la calle, rompieron ese juramento.
Exigimos al alcalde Amezcua que se dirija de inmediato al público, emita una postura clara contra estos secuestros ilegales y exija transparencia al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana (SAPD). Exigimos una investigación independiente sobre los sucesos del 1 de julio y el patrón general de actividad de cazarrecompensas en nuestra ciudad.
Ya basta. Los residentes de Santa Ana no deberían vivir con el temor de ser secuestrados por desconocidos armados mientras nuestros líderes hacen la vista gorda. Si no exigimos responsabilidades a nuestros funcionarios ahora, corremos el riesgo de perder la poca confianza que queda en nuestras instituciones y de poner vidas en mayor riesgo.
Es hora de actuar. Es hora de hacer justicia. Es hora de proteger a Santa Ana.
The streets of Santa Ana have become a battleground for basic human rights, where residents live in fear—not from criminals, but from armed bounty hunters operating with alarming impunity. The silence from Mayor Valerie Amezcua and the complicity of the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) in allowing these violent kidnappings to occur is not just troubling—it is unacceptable.
On Tuesday, July 1st, 2025, multiple reports emerged of brazen kidnappings carried out by bounty hunters on Main St., Warner Ave., and Edinger Ave. Witnesses described scenes that would be more fitting for a war zone than a U.S. city: armed individuals grabbing people off the street, pointing assault rifles—including AK-47-style weapons—at terrified civilians, and disappearing with their victims while law enforcement stood by and did nothing.
Let that sink in: the police did not respond. In broad daylight, in front of SAPD officers, bounty hunters—private actors with no legal authority—committed acts of kidnapping and intimidation. This is not justice. This is not safety. This is an abdication of duty by those sworn to protect the public.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua has offered no public statement, no press conference, no acknowledgment of this escalating crisis. Where is her voice? Where is her leadership? If the mayor cannot—or will not—stand up for the safety and dignity of Santa Ana’s residents, she has no business leading this city.
Bounty hunters are not law enforcement. They do not operate under the same oversight, training, or accountability standards. Yet here in Santa Ana, they act as if they wear badges—threatening, detaining, and even kidnapping individuals without consequence. And the SAPD, rather than intervening to stop these crimes, appears to be shielding them.
This raises serious questions: What kind of relationship exists between the SAPD and these bounty hunters? Are we witnessing collusion? Is there an informal agreement allowing rogue actors to enforce their own brand of “justice” while real justice is ignored?
Santa Ana residents deserve better. They deserve a mayor who protects them, not puts them at risk. They deserve a police department that serves and protects—not enables violence and disappearances.
If Mayor Amezcua continues to remain silent while bounty hunters terrorize our neighborhoods, then yes—she should be recalled. Her inaction is not neutral; it is dangerous. It sends a message that some lives don’t matter, that violence is tolerable, and that accountability is optional.
And to the SAPD: your oath was to protect the people. When you stood by and allowed armed men to kidnap citizens in the street, you broke that oath.
We call on Mayor Amezcua to immediately address the public, issue a clear stance against these unlawful kidnappings, and demand transparency from the SAPD. We call for an independent investigation into the events of July 1st and the broader pattern of bounty hunters activity in our city.
Enough is enough. Santa Ana residents should not live in fear of being kidnapped by armed strangers while our leaders look the other way. If we do not hold our officials accountable now, we risk losing what little trust remains in our institutions—and putting lives at even greater risk.
It’s time for action. It’s time for justice. It’s time to protect Santa Ana.
Santa Ana Police Department Failing to Protect The Residents of Santa Ana.
The people of Santa Ana deserve transparency, protection, and due process under the law. Yet, disturbing reports continue to surface regarding unidentified individuals—often masked and claiming to be federal agents—who are allegedly involved in unlawful detentions and even kidnappings in public view. These actions, reportedly occurring in the presence of Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers who fail to intervene or verify the identities of these individuals, raise urgent questions about both legal responsibility and public safety.
Under California’s Penal Code 832, peace officers are required to act with due diligence in the performance of their duties. When SAPD officers witness what appears to be illegal acts—including kidnapping—and do not intervene or attempt to identify those responsible, they may indeed be complicit under the law. By failing to verify credentials, request identification, or at least investigate such incidents, SAPD officers risk becoming accessories to crimes committed in their presence.
Furthermore, every sworn law enforcement officer has taken an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect citizens from unlawful government intrusion. When officers stand by as individuals—whether legitimate federal agents or not—engage in warrantless detentions or abductions, they are violating the very principles they swore to defend.
Mayor Valerie Amezcua, as the head of the city’s executive branch and a representative of the people, must address this alarming situation immediately. The City Council and local oversight bodies also have a duty to ensure that SAPD is fulfilling its mandate to serve and protect all residents of Santa Ana—not turning a blind eye to potential criminal activity, no matter the alleged affiliation of the perpetrators.
We call on Mayor Amezcua and SAPD leadership to:
Issue clear directives for officers to verify the identity and agency affiliation of any individual claiming to be a federal agent before allowing them to conduct operations within the city.
Investigate all reported incidents involving unverified individuals engaging in detentions or arrests.
Provide transparency to the public regarding any coordination or communication with federal agencies operating locally.
Hold accountable any officers who fail to perform their sworn duty to protect citizens from unlawful harm or coercion.
The Constitution does not permit selective enforcement of the law. If our local law enforcement will not uphold it—especially when others abuse their perceived authority—they become part of the problem rather than the solution.
Santa Ana deserves better. Our community deserves safety, clarity, and justice—not silence or complicity.
Unidentified Security making an arrest of an individual for Allegedly Being Undocumented.
A disturbing video has surfaced showing a California security guard acting like a law enforcement officer, detaining an undocumented man outside a Home Depot and claiming he would call immigration authorities. In the footage, the man is held against his will while the so-called “guard” makes false claims of authority, threatening deportation and treating the individual like a criminal suspect — despite having no legal right to make such an arrest.
This isn’t just a case of overstepping — it’s a potential crime.
A Crime in Plain Sight
Under California law, kidnapping is defined as moving a person a substantial distance without their consent, through force or fear (Penal Code § 207). Even if the guard believed he was acting within his rights, intent doesn’t erase the act — and detaining someone without legal authority can constitute kidnapping.
Additionally, impersonating a peace officer is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000 (Penal Code § 538d). If this individual falsely claimed authority, flashed a badge, or otherwise led the detainee to believe he was a legitimate law enforcement officer, he may have committed multiple crimes.
And yet, no charges have been filed. The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), which regulates private security guards in California, has reportedly not been notified. No public statement has come from either the security company involved or from Home Depot, which employs the firm under contract.
Security Guard overstepping his Authority and Kidnapping this individual for Allegedly being undocumented.
Who Is Liable?
The question now becomes: Who is responsible for this abuse?
1. The Security Guard
At the very least, the individual guard should be investigated for:
Kidnapping
False imprisonment
Impersonation of an officer
Unauthorized arrest
If proven guilty, the consequences should include immediate revocation of his guard card by BSIS, criminal prosecution, and possible civil liability.
2. The Security Company
Security firms are legally responsible for the actions of their employees when those actions occur during the scope of employment. If this guard was on duty at a location contracted by the company (such as the Home Depot in question), then the company could be liable for:
Negligent hiring or training
Failure to supervise
Allowing unlawful conduct by its agents
Companies must ensure that their employees understand the limits of their authority — especially when it comes to detaining individuals suspected of immigration violations. Private security personnel do not have the power to arrest someone solely for being undocumented.
3. Home Depot
While not a law enforcement agency itself, Home Depot contracts with private security firms to provide services. While they may not be directly liable unless they encouraged or authorized illegal behavior, they still have a moral obligation to distance themselves from misconduct and demand accountability from their contractors.
They also have a responsibility to the public to ensure that the people patrolling their premises are trained, licensed, and operating within the law.
Home Depot Security Enforcement “Officer”
Where Is BSIS?
The fact that BSIS has not been alerted is deeply troubling. As the state agency charged with overseeing private security operations, BSIS must act swiftly when allegations of misconduct arise. That includes investigating incidents like this, suspending or revoking licenses where appropriate, and referring cases to local prosecutors when criminal activity is evident.
If BSIS fails to act, it sends a message that impersonating officers and illegally detaining people won’t carry consequences — a dangerous precedent in a state that prides itself on protecting civil liberties.
A Call for Justice
We cannot allow private security guards to play sheriff, especially when doing so puts vulnerable communities at risk. This incident is not isolated — similar stories have emerged across the country, often targeting immigrants who may not know their rights or fear retaliation if they speak out.
Local law enforcement agencies must also take note: if you witness a citizen being detained by someone claiming to be a federal agent or law enforcement officer, your duty is to verify identity and authority before allowing or assisting in any arrest. Failure to do so may make you complicit in a felony.
Conclusion
This incident demands action:
Prosecute the individual guard for potential crimes.
Hold the security company accountable for oversight failures.
Demand transparency from Home Depot.
Alert and involve BSIS immediately.
No one should live in fear of being detained or deported by someone wearing a badge they don’t deserve.
Enough is enough. It’s time for justice — not vigilante justice disguised as security.
The OC Reporter 