Chico police held a public meeting on Monday going over the agency’s use of military-grade gear such as drones, armored vehicles and less-lethal weapons.
Over two dozen residents attended, with many expressing skepticism over the Police Department using this type of equipment.
That included Wick Humble with the local Veteran Action Group.
“This community is a tolerant and by and large cooperative and kindly place to be,” Humble told NSPR. “And when you see people wanting armored cars, it just makes you wonder what they anticipate.”
Other residents voiced concerns about the gear being used against protesters. Some mentioned Minneapolis, where federal immigration agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in January.
Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge pushed back on that idea.
“The stuff that you see here tonight has nothing to do with potential riot situations or First Amendment situations,” Aldridge said. “All of this stuff are things we need for our critical incident management.”
Law enforcement agencies in California have been required to get approval from their local governing body to buy and use military gear since 2022, following the passage of Assembly Bill 481. The law is meant to increase transparency over the local use of military equipment.
On March 3, Chico police will ask the City Council to approve its equipment requests for the coming year. The agency is asking for new drones, rifles and pepperball launchers. The biggest ticket items are three new command vehicles. They could cost up to $1.2 million.
