Monrovia public commentators press council for permanent memorial and CHP report after Home Depot death

Dozens of Monrovia residents pressed the City Council on Sept. 16 for a permanent memorial to Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez and for more transparency about the circumstances of his death after an August incident in the Monrovia Home Depot parking lot.

Speakers at the public-comment portion — including representatives of the Immigration Resource Center of the San Gabriel Valley and multiple neighborhood volunteers — said the family and community have received limited information and asked the city to push for an independent, state-level review. "We would like an update and more transparency on the CHP report," said Anna, who identified herself as representing the Immigration Resource Center of the San Gabriel Valley. "We would like more clarity on what the Monrovia Police Department can and cannot do regarding these raids."

Why it matters: Commenters said the incident involved federal immigration enforcement and left community members traumatized. They asked the city to help ensure the family has answers and a place to grieve publicly. Several speakers said volunteers repeatedly rebuild a makeshift memorial that has been removed multiple times and asked the council to endorse a permanent memorial site.

What residents said: Ally, a community organizer, said volunteers have rebuilt the memorial three times and called on the council to place the issue on a future agenda and to urge the state to conduct an independent investigation. "His death will not be unnoticed," Ally said. Resident Sherry Lochner said Roberto was a "beloved father, grandfather, and member of our community" and asked for "full disclosure into the circumstances resulting in his death." Another speaker identified as AV performed a spoken-word piece condemning federal immigration tactics and called for continued public attention.

City response and next steps: City staff told the council they have requested a copy of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report and are actively monitoring the matter with assistance from the city attorney and regional partners. The city manager said it is not yet clear whether the CHP report will be released publicly to the city or the community and that federal and state agencies have not been sharing information. Staff said it will continue to press for information and report back to council as it becomes available. The city is also hosting an Immigration Resource Center presentation for regional city managers and staff the following day to coordinate information sharing.

Cameras and data-sharing: Council members asked for clarification about camera systems at the Home Depot site. City staff and a city representative described two distinct camera types: (1) the city’s ALPR (automated license plate reader) cameras, which the city deploys under state law and with an adopted local policy, and (2) commercial camera providers such as FLOC or private business cameras, which the city does not own. City staff stated that Monrovia does not share its ALPR data with federal agencies as a routine policy and that ALPRs capture license plates only (not facial recognition). Staff reiterated that the city had adopted an ALPR use policy before deployment and that the policy is publicly available on the police department website.

What the speakers requested: Public speakers asked the council to (1) endorse a permanent memorial for Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, (2) request and publish the CHP report or otherwise press for an independent investigation, and (3) clarify what camera footage and other evidence exist and whether the family can access it. City staff confirmed they will continue to pursue the CHP report and provide updates to the council.

Context and limits: Commenters asserted federal agents conducted the enforcement action; the council and staff limited official claims to what the city has been able to confirm. City staff stated they have requested the CHP report and are coordinating with regional partners but cannot promise when or whether that report will be released.

Ending: The council did not take immediate formal action on the memorial request at the Sept. 16 meeting; staff said it will continue outreach, monitor the CHP inquiry, and report back to council when more information is available.