Families and residents demand investigation, closure of Sunland Motel after fatal overdoses; council says city has court order
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Summary
Multiple speakers told the council that recent fentanyl deaths and thefts at the Sunland/Sunset motel require urgent enforcement; the city attorney said staff has obtained a court order to stop activity at the property and the police said they are working with service providers.
Several residents and family members urged the Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday to investigate and close the Sunland (Sunland/Sunset) motel after what speakers described as recent drug sales, theft and a fentanyl-related death.
Kim Miller and Marian Krane identified themselves as relatives of men who died after taking pills believed to contain fentanyl at the motel. “Su muerte pienso que fue prevenible,” Miller said, urging the council to prioritize an investigation and to take action against the property.
Krane said hospital staff and investigators did not pursue motel surveillance footage after her son was taken from the scene and that the property continued to operate despite prior court orders. “Este lugar ha estado en órdenes de la corte por las ventas de [drogas] ... y estamos aquí ya meses después y no han parece que no ocurre nada,” she told the council.
Other speakers — including Jessie Reyes and Victor Méndez — described ongoing public-safety and quality-of-life problems on First Street and nearby blocks and urged code enforcement, police action and neighborhood cleanup. Héctor Bustos, speaking as president of the Santa Ana school board, said federal immigration enforcement actions have increased fear among families and recommended expanding emergency assistance to affected households.
City staff and the city attorney responded during public comment: the city attorney stated the city “obtuvimos una orden de la corte para parar toda la actividad” at the property and described ongoing enforcement work. A police representative and council members said multiple city departments and partner organizations (Salvation Army, Teen Challenge and other service providers) are coordinating outreach and shelter referrals as part of enforcement operations in the area.
Council members said they will request more public reporting about enforcement outcomes — for example, how many arrests have been made, how many people accepted shelter or services — and reiterated that First Street remains a priority for coordinated policing, code enforcement and social services.