Resident tells Pasadena council officers 'turned their body cams off' in 2023 case; council hears mixed remarks on public safety
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Summary
During public comment on Jan. 6, Eric Sanchez urged the council to revisit a 2023 death investigation and said family-provided bodycam footage suggests officers failed to secure the scene and turned off body cameras; Councilman Heredia separately highlighted recent crime reductions tied to proactive patrols.
A Pasadena resident used the council's public-comment period on Jan. 6 to press elected officials about a 2023 death investigation, while council members highlighted recent reductions in district crime.
Eric Sanchez told the council that a woman named Eder Deal contacted him with bodycam footage related to her son's 2023 death and that "they failed to secure the scene" and "they turned their body cams off." He said the family has not received a satisfactory investigation and urged MP Jackson to contact the family to ensure the case is properly handled. A point of order was raised noting the issue's relevance to the council; the mayor overruled the point and allowed Sanchez to continue. No department representative responded during the meeting and the council did not take a formal action on the allegation during the session.
Earlier in the meeting, Councilman Heredia (District A) presented district-level policing data that he said reflect the results of increased patrols. Heredia said "94% of police activity was proactive," that his district logged 1,149 service calls with a stated split between proactive and requested calls, and that the district saw sharp declines in forcible offenses, shoplifting and motor-vehicle theft from November to December. He credited the Pasadena Police Department for the reductions and urged continuation of the proactive enforcement strategy.
The council did not open a formal investigation or direct staff to take action on Sanchez's allegations during the meeting. The public comment stands on the record as an unresolved complaint before the council; the transcript shows no direct departmental rebuttal or staff report addressing the claim at this session. Sanchez's statements, including his description of bodycam handling, were presented as allegations by a member of the public.
The council proceeded with its agenda after public comment, approving routine business and moving later to adopt ordinances and resolutions. The matter raised by Sanchez may be pursued through the police department, the mayor's office, or other official channels outside the council's meeting record.
The council will next meet on its regular schedule, when members or staff could elect to place follow-up items on a future agenda.
