Residents press Pasadena council on police transparency and city services during public comment

Several Pasadena residents used the public-comment period to raise concerns about police conduct, public-record access and city services for seniors.

Robert Jeter told the council he had filed records requests for booking photos and police reports related to Eric Sanchez and said the Pasadena Police Department initially reported no responsive records, later producing materials after Jeter's follow-up. Jeter urged the department to improve transparency and enforcement of employee codes of conduct, saying suppressed IA (internal-affairs) complaints under a prior administration had damaged public trust.

Eric Sanchez addressed the council regarding free-speech protections, citing federal and Texas cases and asserting that points of order should not be used to silence criticism of public officials. Sanchez said the city attorney had mischaracterized his records requests to the attorney general and that he had received large audio and video files in an undercover sting investigation that, in his view, showed officer coercion and withheld audio.

Ty Smith described an incident on July 17 in Deer Park, around 7:50 a.m., in which he said multiple Pasadena officers arrived at a training site and drove recklessly through parking and handicap spots; Smith said he recorded video evidence and alleged supervisors refused to accept it for review. Smith called for accountability and equal enforcement by officers.

Javier Gasgar asked for assistance after being suspended from the city's transportation program for elderly residents; he described unreliable pickups, an episode in which he said he waited five hours, and difficulty accessing sidewalks to reach programs such as classes at Ripley House. The presiding official asked Gasgar to remain after the meeting to speak with staff about his situation.

The speakers raised procedural and transparency concerns and asked the council and staff to follow up with the complainants; no formal council action addressing these specific complaints was recorded during the meeting.

Quotes from the meeting: "Not following up on complaints with the reporting party on any issue is unacceptable," Robert Jeter said. Ty Smith said he had "video evidence" of officers driving through handicap spots and that department supervisors "refuse[d] to do so." The presiding official asked public commentators to remain civil and said staff would speak with Mr. Gasgar after the meeting.

What’s next: Complainants were asked to follow up with staff; the transcript records no formal disciplinary or investigatory actions taken during the meeting. Residents urged the council to improve transparency and transportation services for seniors.