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Public voices object as county approves Sheriff's military-designated equipment on consent calendar
Summary
Public commenters urged transparency and limits on surveillance after the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved consent calendar items March 3 that include a Sheriff's Office purchase designated as military equipment under Ventura County Ordinance No. 4603; the consent motion passed unanimously after public comment.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the consent calendar March 3, including a Sheriff's Office request to purchase equipment that the county designates as military under Ventura County Ordinance No. 4603. The consent calendar (agenda items 9 through 28) passed unanimously after public comment.
A telephonic public commenter identified as Suzanne said she was "surprised to see that a military-rated surveillance drone would be on the consent calendar," urged greater transparency, and asked the county and Sheriff's Office to explain what protections would govern any surveillance use. "If the county is going to have drones, anytime there is some type of purchase or action I would absolutely want to see full public transparency and discussion about protections for the people who live in Ventura County," she said.
Clerk notes in the agenda review identified Item 25 as the Sheriff's Office approval to purchase equipment designated by Ventura County Ordinance No. 4603 as military equipment; seven public comment letters were filed for that item. County staff presented the consent calendar; following public comment Supervisor Long moved and Supervisor Parvin seconded approval. The board approved the consent items unanimously.
The board did not take additional public testimony beyond the recorded comments and did not place the purchase on a separate, standalone hearing during the meeting. Requests for details about operational safeguards, local policy governing use of surveillance technology, or any purchased equipment'specific policies were raised by commenters but not resolved on the record at the March 3 meeting.
Next steps: interested residents and advocates should direct records and policy questions to the Clerk's office and the Sheriff's Office; the consent approval indicates the procurement is authorized but does not itself change operational policies absent separate board action.
