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El Cerrito renews military equipment ordinance after public hearing; department reports no recent use of tear gas or projectile rounds
Summary
Following required annual review, the council renewed the city's military equipment ordinance; police said tear gas and projectile rounds have not been used locally in recent years and one drone purchase is proposed pending budget approval.
The El Cerrito City Council on April 21 voted to renew its military equipment ordinance after a formal public hearing and a presentation by police staff.
Lieutenant JT Waratlik and Chief Paul Keith summarized the department’s military‑equipment report and inventory, noting the ordinance (first adopted in 2022) must be reviewed annually under state law. Chief Keith said the department has not deployed tear gas in El Cerrito in his 25‑year career and that sponge rounds and drag‑stabilized beanbag projectiles were not deployed in 2024–25. The department said it would request purchase of one additional exterior drone in the coming fiscal year, pending budget approval, to provide redundancy for aerial operations.
Chief Keith recommended renewing the ordinance and described public outreach steps, including two public meetings required by law. After council discussion and public comment, the council voted to renew the ordinance.
What comes next: The department will seek budget approval for the drone in the upcoming budget cycle and will continue to publish its military‑equipment inventory and policy materials as required.
