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Residents urge action on ICE custody deaths, criticize ALPR cameras and raise school racism concerns at Monrovia meeting
Summary
During public comment July 7, speakers urged an independent inquiry into Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez's death and adoption of a sanctuary-city ordinance; others urged ending the city's contract with Flock ALPR cameras and called for inclusion specialists to address racism in Monrovia schools.
Multiple Monrovia residents used the public-comment period on July 7 to press the council on immigration enforcement, surveillance technology and school racial incidents.
Sherry Lochner (resident) said she and colleagues have tracked deaths they attribute to ICE actions and asked council to pursue an independent report into the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, to adopt a sanctuary-city ordinance and to create a permanent memorial. “We will not be silent,” she said, adding that the count of deaths discussed at the meeting had risen from 69 to 72 since an earlier meeting.
Following that reading of names, another speaker, Ruby Chenault, urged the council to end Monrovia’s contract with Flock automated license-plate readers (ALPRs), citing published reports that questioned privacy protections and asserted that data can be accessed outside the city. “Many of the Monrovia residents are unaware that they are being surveilled in this capacity,” she said, and asked the council to consider ending the contract.
Kayla Barnes described repeated incidents of racism affecting her 9-year-old son in Monrovia Unified and asked the city to help secure inclusion specialists for elementary schools to support students and address bias. “I just want them to feel safe in the community,” she said.
City manager Dylan Fink responded during his manager’s clarification, noting the city has filed records requests regarding the Carlos Roberto Valdez case and explaining the ALPR policy and contract. He said the city’s policy requires adoption of a departmental policy before using ALPRs and that Monrovia’s system is configured to look for vehicles tied to crimes, not broad surveillance. He invited residents to contact him or the police chief for more information.
Why it matters: The public comment period brought forward emotionally charged public-safety and civil-rights concerns that the council did not resolve at the meeting. Speakers asked for formal policy responses (independent investigation, ordinance action, contract termination or specialist support for schools), while staff described existing processes and legal constraints.
What’s next: Staff said it will provide updates on the records requests about the Valdez case and invited residents to meet with police staff for detailed ALPR information. Council did not take formal action on the requests during the July 7 meeting.
