Family and advocates press Long Beach council for accountability after Brandon Boyd killing

During the public comment period the council heard emotional testimony from family members of Brandon Boyd and from community advocates calling for accountability and reforms to crisis response.

Audrina Redmond, co‑founder of Black Lives Matter Grassroots Long Beach, said the family and organizers are "calling on this city to remember Brandon Boyd... He was a man in crisis. He called for help." Redmond urged the council to follow the Police Oversight Commission’s recommendations and to strengthen non‑police crisis response options.

Brandy Davidson and other advocates pressed the city to slow expansions of police staffing until reforms are implemented. Davidson argued that adding officers without reforms would increase the risk of another preventable death and urged the council to "implement a clear implementation timeline of recommendations."

Melissa Morgan, who identified herself as someone living with mental‑health challenges, recounted reading police reports and said Boyd "texted 911... he was shot within 2 and a half hours by our Long Beach Police Department and killed on the steps of his childhood church." Family members including Tiffany Boyd delivered emotional remarks describing grief and frustration with the city's response and the family's treatment in the aftermath.

Council members expressed condolences and said they would continue to engage with the oversight process and community recommendations. No immediate policy vote on police reforms took place at this meeting; council members repeatedly acknowledged the concerns and directed staff to continue work with commissions and community partners.