Category / Santa Ana

by The Orange County Reporter

Santa Ana Police Department Misuse of Vehicle Mounted Spotlights and Public Safety

During the last year and a half, The Orange County Reporter correspondent  investigative reporter Igmar Rodas has been documenting the Santa Ana Police Department misuse of Vehicle Mounted Spotlights on their Patrol Vehicles.

As it has been documented Santa Ana Police Officers have been using the Spotlights in emergency situations, regular traffic stops, but also shining the spotlights onto oncoming traffic.  This has been a concern to many Community Leaders and the public in general especially those who have been affected by the misuse of the spotlights by the Santa Ana Police Officers.

Several Safety concerns that were observed were when the police officers used the lights onto oncoming traffic going the opposite direction of the officers, those drivers were getting startled up to a point of getting into an accident.  Our correspondent Reporter has witnessed this safety issue as he has been a victim of such practice of misuse of spotlights.  The last time it happened to him about 3 weeks ago, he slightly lost control of his vehicle and hitting the curb while the Police Officers going the opposite direction sped off at a high rated speed.

Santa Ana Police Department Patrol Vehicle with Spotlights.

There have been other instances where our Correspondent Reporter has witnessed that practice of equipment misuse and nearly causing accidents by the abuse of those police officers.

 Mr. Rodas reached out to Santa Ana Mayor Sarmiento in concern of the misuse of the Spotlights; Mayor Sarmiento said that he would pass along the information in regards to this. Mayor Sarmiento did keep his word and the Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin Issued a Department Wide Directive as of April 27th 2021 on the Use of the Spotlights mounted on the Patrol Vehicles.

“Based on the public safety hazard and in response to community and Council concerns, effective immediately the indiscriminate use of vehicle mounted spotlights towards the driver of a moving vehicle is PROHIBITED, unless officers can articulate exigent circumstances necessitating their use”

Santa Ana Police Chief Directive 21-1 Use of Vehicle Spotlights

Chief of Police Directive 21-1 , USE OF VEHICLE SPOTLIGHTS.

This is a VICTORY for Santa Ana Residents because of the safety issue that was at stake

by The Orange County Reporter

Fight Breakouts in a Unlicensed Punk Rock Performance In Santa Ana’s Artwalk.

Saturday April 6th 2019

Guy talking to Young Man that was hit at the mosh pit and was upset to that fact.

At around 7:15 p.m. in the evening a fight breakouts at an Unlicensed Punk Rock Performance. As several witnesses stated that a young punk was hit at the mosh pit that was in the front of the band performing. The young punk had to be dragged by several others because after getting hit he couldn’t stand up. He was laid in the parking lot across from the crowd, as he regained consciousness it was obvious that he wanted to fight.

A witness stated that after that young man got up and started the fight which prompted a full response from Santa Ana Police Department to disperse the young crowd which some of them had been drinking and had open alcohol containers in hand.

Santa Ana Police Department In Full Force after a fight breakouts at a Punk Rock Performance in DTSA

Some of the young crowd were upset that they were charged between $3 – 4.00 fee to attend and to find out that the promoter as some called him “Mr. Sunday” left as soon as he saw Santa Ana Police Department arrive on scene. Also I interviewed one band member that was supposed to play next before the performers were shut down and him and his band were livid to the outcome since they paid about $300.00 to the Promoter Mr. Sunday just to be stiffed by him.

As Santa Ana is getting a new crowd due to Gentrification more issues will ensue like this one which it couldn’t happen at a leter day but the day where Santa Ana Art District is going on with The Santa Ana Artwalk in Down Town Santa Ana.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/BKWpjsqJJMk