Residents press Inglewood council to pass 'Inglewood for All Act' and demand police transparency after Bostick's death
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Summary
After the death of Brian Bostick, dozens of residents and advocates at the April 14 meeting urged the Inglewood City Council to agendize and pass the Inglewood for All Act, demanded immediate body cameras for police and called for transparency and incident reports; the council said investigations by the coroner and district attorney remain ongoing.
Dozens of residents, faith leaders and immigrant-rights advocates used the public-comment period at the April 14 Inglewood City Council meeting to press elected officials to agendize and pass the proposed "Inglewood for All Act," to require police body cameras and to provide transparency after the death of Brian Bostick.
"This ordinance would limit any collaboration with immigration enforcement authorities and the Inglewood Police Department," said Yaritza Gonzalez, an Inglewood resident representing CARES and the Central American Resource Center and the LA Sanctuary Coalition. Gonzalez urged the council to move the ordinance forward before large city events and said sanctuary ordinances are associated with public-safety and economic benefits in studies cited to the council.
A family member of Bostick told the council they had submitted a video and emails and said the family has not received basic incident documentation. The family member said, "We want it on the ballot now" and announced plans to push a "Brian Bostick Police Transparency and Accountability Act" if the city does not act. Other speakers demanded the release of officers' names tied to the case and called for an independent investigation and mandatory body cameras.
Advocates cited broader impacts: student attendance and community confidence, local workers' economic losses tied to ICE activity, and language-access concerns. Maritza Maria Melgar described family members taken by ICE and asked why the city lacks adequate Spanish translation services in a majority-Spanish-speaking community. Several speakers pointed to SB 54 (the California Values Act) as a baseline and urged the city to add local protections.
Some public commenters alleged the police department had destroyed records and noted an ACLU lawsuit; those allegations were raised during public comment but were not resolved in the meeting record.
Council members responded with condolences and reiterated that independent investigations are underway. Councilman Ala Morales and other members said the coroner's office and the district attorney are conducting separate inquiries. Mayor Butts summarized the process for inquests and investigations and said the city awaits the coroner's findings before disciplinary actions or appellate council processes occur. "We await the coroner's findings," he said.
The meeting did not include a council vote on the proposed Inglewood for All Act or an immediate order to require body cameras; speakers said they will continue to press the council and pursue ballot options if the city does not take action.
