Salinas renews military‑equipment ordinance, authorizes limited purchases for public‑safety gear

The Salinas City Council on Tuesday renewed its military‑equipment ordinance adopted under California Assembly Bill 481 and approved staff requests to purchase replacement and replenishment items for public‑safety equipment, including precision ammunition and less‑lethal projectiles.

Police Chief Carlos Acosta presented the department’s 2024 annual report on equipment covered by AB 481. The presentation listed categories used by the department — unmanned aerial systems (drones), remote ground robots, rescue/armored vehicles, mobile command vehicles, breaching tools, distraction devices, less‑lethal launchers and munitions — and provided counts of authorized uses and costs for 2024.

Chief Acosta said drone flights increased in 2024, listing 358 authorized drone uses and a reported annual cost of $2,875.46. He reported two deployments for remote ground robots and 21 authorized uses of tactical rescue vehicles for incidents or mutual‑aid responses. Distraction devices (flash‑bangs) were used 15 times in 2024, Chief Acosta said; staff reported zero complaints tied to the listed categories in 2024.

The chief told council the department would seek authorization to buy or replenish specific items if funding is available, including precision rifle ammunition, replacement 0.308 and 338 rounds, a limited supply of 40‑millimeter sponge projectiles and pepper‑ball rounds used for less‑lethal force options. The staff recommendation requested authorization to proceed with purchases not to exceed $66,056.91 for the items listed in the staff report.

Council asked about training and staffing. The department said SWAT and the Violent Special‑Tactics Force (VSTF) train regularly — SWAT has 26 officers and the VSTF has a smaller, six‑officer contingent — and that those units undergo monthly or quarterly training and receive additional certified‑instructor instruction as needed. Staff also described how some less‑lethal munitions have a shelf life and are used in training to avoid expiration.

Public commenters and several councilmembers emphasized the importance of de‑escalation and mental‑health response. A public speaker noted support for less‑lethal supplies that can reduce use of lethal force, and Chief Acosta said the department is expanding Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for officers.

After the presentation and questions, council voted unanimously to renew Ordinance No. 2657 and authorized the requested purchases up to the amount listed in the staff report. No council member voted against the renewal or the purchase authorization.