The Chico City Council voted on October 3, 2023, to approve a request from the Chico Police Department for military equipment. This decision is part of compliance with Assembly Bill 481, which mandates annual reports detailing the use of military equipment and any new requests. The term “military equipment” can be misleading; much of it is commercially available and specifically designed for law enforcement, as noted in the latest AB 481 report.
Councilmember Tom van Overbeek highlighted the arbitrary nature of the list, stating, “Most of them you can buy as a civilian.” The approved items include a range of equipment such as drones, command vehicles, and less-than-lethal firearms, including rubber bullets. It also encompasses high-powered rifles, long-range acoustic devices, and flash-bang grenades, among others.
Despite the approval, it is important to note that the police department may not acquire all of the requested items. The city council determines the police budget in June, and previous experience suggests that not all approved items will be funded. Councilmember and Vice Mayor Dale Bennet remarked, “Our decision tonight to support this is not necessarily [about] funding. It’s going to be a really tight budget.”
The council’s decision allows the police department to allocate funds from its approved budget for the military equipment. However, the budget may not accommodate the full request. Councilmember Katie Hawley emphasized the need to scrutinize police funding during budget discussions, stating, “I really want to advocate for not giving a crazy amount of money to the police department to spend on whatever toys they want.”
The council had the option to adjust the request before voting. Councilmember Hawley proposed a motion to exclude seven SAR-15 patrol rifles from the approval, while Councilmember Bryce Goldstein sought to exclude three command vehicles. Neither motion passed, resulting in a final approval of the complete request by a vote of 4-3. Councilmembers Hawley, Goldstein, and Addison Winslow opposed the proposal, while Bennet, van Overbeek, O’Brien, and Mayor Kasey Reynolds supported it. O’Brien has previously served as the police chief.
During the discussions, van Overbeek countered Hawley’s concerns about high-powered firearms by pointing out that civilians can purchase semi-automatic rifles. “So, I can go to any gun store and buy a semi-automatic rifle. So we’re going to deny the police the same weapons that civilians have? That’s completely and utterly nonsensical,” he stated.
Winslow raised concerns regarding the allocation of funds to the police department, suggesting that previous equipment funding has come at the expense of other city improvements, particularly road infrastructure. In April 2023, Chico implemented Measure H, which increased the city’s sales tax from 7.25% to 8.25%. A year later, 72% of the approximately $24 million in additional revenue went towards roadway improvements, according to a press release from the city.
“We’re almost down to about one-third of what we had in 2023 for streets and roads,” Winslow told local media. “I don’t think any department should be getting anything close to what would be their wildest dreams for equipment.”
Captain Omar Peña presented details of the police department’s request, which included three types of heavy-duty vehicles. The most expensive, exceeding $500,000, is an aerial systems vehicle intended to enhance drone operations. “Chief Aldridge was able to point back at a couple of instances where they were working in the foothills, collaborating with the county on some serious cases in adverse weather conditions,” Hawley noted, highlighting the vehicle’s potential to improve operational efficiency.
Police Chief Billy Aldridge discussed the necessity of the drone command vehicle, emphasizing the current challenges faced by the drone deployment team. “They’re shoving it in the back of a Tahoe, and when we get to a scene, they’re setting it out under a pop-up tent,” he said. He also illustrated the effectiveness of the drone program in law enforcement scenarios.
Community members participated in the discussion, each given two minutes to voice their opinions. Julian Zener, representing the local organization Concerned Community for Justice, expressed support for the use of robotic equipment, highlighting its potential for safer operations. “Just because it’s called military equipment doesn’t mean it’s bad,” Zener stated. However, he questioned the need for large command vehicles in a smaller city like Chico.
As the city council continues to navigate the balance between public safety and budget constraints, the decision on military equipment reflects broader discussions about law enforcement practices and community needs.
